Yesterday I preached on “What Happens When You Give.” I listed five things that happen when you give money to your congregation. Personally my favorite reason was #4, “When You Give You Gain Perspective.”
Have you ever met someone who went on a foreign mission trip? Those can be expensive. Between food, airfare and supplies, someone could easily spend thousands of dollars traveling to another country to work with children or work on a house. I have traveled to Jamaica to help build homes for needy families and I know how expensive a trip can be.
But when these short-term missionaries return and talk, they use words like “incredible” and “life changing.” They talk about the experience like it was one of the most important things they’ve ever done, no matter what the cost may have been.
I’ve never met anyone that said, “Man, I wish I hadn’t raised all that money to go to Jamaica and help people…I would have rather used that money to buy an Iphone or laptop.”
You never hear that story because spending money on others in need feels right. It gives us a new perspective on the values of life.
People often regret something they buy, but they rarely regret something they give to others.
Financial giving to your congregation gives you a new perspective on what it means to have and how rich you already are. You see your church not as a market that dispense religious goods for your benefit, but rather as a community where you are invested and connected. It is not about getting more stuff, but touching more lives for Jesus sake.
Jesus taught, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21.
I want my heart to line up with Jesus’ treasure. Giving to Jesus’ mission helps make that alignment real.
Thank you, Jesus, for investing in me. Help me to gain your perspective.
Pastor John Keller 