Michael Chambers, lead pastor of Faith Community Church Lakeside, in McMurray, Pennsylvania, understands the importance of church giving during online services, even in this time of uncertainly. Here is why it is important.
It continues to emphasize our call to faithful giving as disciples.
The New Testament Church models for us the practice of giving in persecution (Acts 2 and following), poverty (Philippians), and plenty (1 &2 Corinthians). We must be faithful to that model and encourage our congregations to live in a similar fashion. It is important to move giving from a practice of legalistic obedience to one of relational joy, continuing the practice of giving regularly (1 Cor. 16:2), privately (Matt. 6:3-4 ), proportionally (2 Cor. 8:11-13), generously (2 Cor. 9:6) and cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7-8).
It is a way for us to learn to trust our congregation’s personal walk with Jesus.
If we have taught our congregation a proper view on giving, then we should trust them to walk it out, even in times of difficulty. Those who can give, will, while those who are without income will know that it is their place to cheerfully support the fellowship in other ways. We cannot deprive those who can continue to give of the blessing of giving!
It allows people to bless others.
It also gives us a chance to regularly address the fact that, while some can give, others may be in need. Those who faithfully share their needs will allow their brothers and sisters to experience the blessing of giving.
There is also one prayer that we as leaders should begin to pray more and more fervently as the days of trouble continue: that God would prepare the hearts of those who have more to willingly and joyfully give extravagantly to meet the basic needs of all the believers in the body (an Acts 2:45 type of practice).
We may very well need Barnabas-like givers (Acts 4:32-37) to step up to the plate with a willingness to dispose of possessions, retirements, savings accounts, or any other thing of this world to help meet the basic needs of those they are called to belong to. Of course, we must not exclude ourselves from these considerations!
