Sacrificial Giving

So Easy a Saved Man Can Do It

. . . they gave themselves first to the Lord . . .

Pastor Bob led us in a great Bible study at our last campaign rally from 2 Corinthians 8. The apostle Paul was encouraging a reluctant Corinthian church to let go of some of their cash (which they had in greater abundance than other congregations), for the sake of helping the less fortunate. He was using as an example of generosity the churches of Macedonia.

What is striking about this passage is that Paul says their generosity began by first giving themselves to the Lord. That is where any action of faith must begin—by first giving ourselves to God. No act of sacrifice for the sake of this church or any other will happen without first giving ourselves to the Lord.

I think that sounds a little frightening to some of us. I sometimes wonder if being a member of a church without giving ourselves totally to the Lord is safer. Yet giving ourselves totally to the Lord is one of the safest things we can do. Paul tries to remind us of this when he wrote that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28). Even when paying down the debt on our beautiful facilities.

So, as we consider what sacrifices we are willing to make, let’s first give ourselves totally to the Lord and see what wondrous things he can make happen through us.

Equal sacrifice—not equal gifts

Mac Hamon, senior pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana