Why Give?

This month I've been doing a lot of thinking about finances. It seems like every ministry I know is short on funds (including the ministry of Kate!) and it is hard to know what to do about it. I think Steven (a man from my South African church who heads up local ministries) hits the solution on the head.
I've been very blessed the last week with 2 large donations just as I was starting to panic, and the wonderful news that my Compassion Sponsored child in Ethiopia has graduated from the program because his family is now financially sound - which also removes a monthly burden from my expenses.
Praise God for his provision!

http://www.biblesforbelievers.org/bible-study.htm#why1

Why do Christians Support Missions and Ministries financially?

- A series by Steven Loots -

Why is it that Christians must support the church, ministries and missions for them to survive and flourish financially? Shouldn't the leadership "just pray"? Over the next few months I want to give a few short answers to this question.

Part Two - The example of Jesus

Have you ever considered the ministry of Jesus from a financial perspective? For three years He travelled from town to town, preaching, healing and proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God.

At a minimum his entourage was numbered 12. Often we read of extra women and sometimes of many disciples in his group. Every day they needed to eat and had other expenses. They paid toll duties and taxes. Judas carried the money purse (Jn 13:29)

Where did the money come from? We have an example of miraculously multiplying food for a vast crowd, but normally food was given by people hosting them or they purchased food.

Luk 8:1 - 3 reveals a very interesting aspect of the ministry of Jesus. It tells of at least three women, cured of evil spirits and diseases who travelled with Jesus and who supplied what was needed. Verse 3b says: “…These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

Surely Jesus could have asked the Father and God could have put many more coins in the mouths of fish as He did once. Or He could daily send manna or just multiply what was at hand, but He didn't. People, ordinary women gave, the disciples bought food and Jesus thanked the Father. He was setting an example of how ministries and missions would function. Ordinary people, people grateful for what God has done for them, giving so that God's work on earth can be done. God is involving all His children - those He calls to do the job and those He calls to supply the means.

Are you grateful for salvation? Healing? Provision? Give with a thankful heart so that God's work on earth may be accomplished.