June Discipleship Focus

2 Corinthians 9:7 “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."
 
June’s discipleship focus is Giving. What is giving to the church exactly? Is it giving your tithes? Is it giving to missionaries overseas? Or is it giving your time? It’s all these things, but most importantly it’s giving these things with a happy heart. You can give beyond your 10% percent or volunteer for every activity, but if you do it with a resentful or questioning heart, you are not giving to God. And certainly, if you are not giving even your 10%, then you are not obeying God. The Bible tells us that tithing is a way to show that we trust God with our lives and our finances. Ready for a truth bomb? Tithing wasn’t put in place for God’s benefit. He already owns everything. He doesn’t need our money. Instead, tithing is meant for our benefit because sacrificing a portion of our income helps us look outside our selfishness and makes us more aware of the needs of others.
           
Proverbs 11:24 One gives freely yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.                  

Yes, tithing does pay the church’s utilities, staff wages, and helps in our church’s ministries. But more than all of that, tithing is an act of faith that helps us keep our priorities straight. It reminds us that we don’t own anything in this life. God is in control, and we’re only managers of what He has given us.
           
Written by Monica Carbajal, Ministry Director to Families with Children