Grace Giving Empowers Preaching

March 3

(Acts 4:33 NIV) “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”

(2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV) "But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV) "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Grace giving empowers gospel preaching. The early Christians gave generously to one another as they witnessed to their changed lives, and the apostles continued to testify with great power. This combination of faith and deeds changed the world. The generous church grows -- the stingy church shrivels. Generous Christians grow -- stingy Christians shrivel. Christian witness is muted by a stingy heart, while grace giving opens the doors of heaven. This goes way beyond money -- it’s about the joyful and sacrificial giving of one’s life, one’s time, one’s love, one’s talent, and one’s heart. The church needs Christians who are more concerned with what they can offer the church, than with what the church can offer them -- believers who ask, “What can I give?” rather than, “What can I get?”. This is the kind of church the disciples belonged to, and it’s a worthy model for today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day