I just wrote out an entire blog on Christian giving and got half-way when the page reset. I was being too long-winded. Well, here are the most important parts.

Paul exhorted the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 8 to excel in giving and in another place highlighted how God enjoys a cheerful giver. However, giving isn't to be restricted to just money. I think the Church in the United States, including myself, has made a grave area for just giving money at times when Christian service is really what is needed. Monetary distribution is never to supercede servanthood distribution. I think it's why when in the Gospels Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan didn't just give the guy a bag of money and leave him on the side of the road to just pay for everything. No, he gave him a ride, he lead him to a place to stay, ensured it was safe and that his future needs would be taken care of, spent at least a night on his wounds and caring for him, probably gave him something to eat... that's much more than just a bag of shiny coins that only have 'potential' to help someone.

I think God's given me much more valuable things to give than just money. I'm convicted that I'm not a cheerful giver. I give very grudgingly many times. However, I desire not to just grow as someone who's pleased to give as God's pleased that I give, but to give fully of everything God's given me. My time, my witness of Jesus in teaching, the effort of my hands in servanthood, my participation as a friend or counselor, and yes, my money. But not just monetary value, but every value God's given me that I can share with a body of people. I think this witnesses of God's goodness greatly. My money's no good just sitting in the bank, I agree. And yes, money should be given, and cheerfully as the verse says. But, I'd rather see it in the hands of lost people as Bibles after I'd taken the time to share the Gospel with them. I'd rather see it on the faces of satisfied, full people after we shared a meal. I'd rather see it on the backs of people who couldn't clothe themselves.

I think that Christian service accompanied with monetary giving witnesses much more of the Gospel than just monetary giving alone. And it certainly doesn't replace or substitute it. This is a grace that we should abound in -- the grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8 says that it includes service or ability. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-6, "Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,"

2 Corinthians 8:4-7, "imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see that you abound in this grace also."

I'm learning from Missions 101 at my church that missionaries don't just need money support. They don't just need material support. They also need prayer support and encouragement support or exhortation. They need letters of encouragement. And prayer, no spiritual work the Christian undertakes really gets done. Because we can do nothing of ourselves except we abide in the Vine, as Christ pointed out even from His own life. This also relates to that post I wrote a few months ago on the guy that fell over backwards in his head at Wal-Mart, wow.

This is why I no longer care to be wealthy at all. And don't plan on retiring as I originally thought of retiring - a vacation. God's given me much more valuable things to give than just money - and things to give than any amount of money can't really buy or prepare for me (like prayer, encouragement, and so forth). I freely give up the pursuit of riches for the pursuit of greater godliness in order to give things that have true eternal value (1 Tim. 4:8, etc.).

Cheers,

Isaac D.