CBC Avon Lake

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Claim the Land Gatherings

There will be two public gatherings to hear about the Claim the Land campaign for those not involved in small groups or who miss their presentation.  Please feel free to join us at 7pm on 3/10/07 or 3/12/07.
Home arrow Discerned Giving
Discerning God's Will PDF Print E-mail

The most important decision you or your family will make during our Claim the Land campaign will be the decision about your own giving commitment.  How do you know what God wants you to give?  Here are some suggestions to consider:

 As you begin praying about your commitment, please keep in mind that our theme is “equal sacrificed, not equal gifts.”  Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in dollars.  However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.

As you pray and consider what your commitment will be, remember - this program involves not only a cash gift, but whatever amount God leads you to commit to give over the next 36 months.  Most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a three year period.

There are two basic approaches to giving:

1) I can give based on REASON. This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount. It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason asks, “what can I afford? “

2) I can give based on REVELATION. This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?"  This requires faith.  When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship.  Revelation giving is asking “how much am I willing to trust god?”

Paul said of the Macedonians, “they gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more than they could afford!”  2 Cor. 7:3

 Suggested steps for determining god’s will

1) Begin by praying every day, “Lord, I want to give sacrificially.  Now please show me how to give a gift that will stretch my faith.” if you are married, pray together with your spouse.

2) Give yourself time!  Don’t rush your decision. You will find that the longer you genuinely pray “show me how,” the more ways god will show you, and you will be able to give more than the first amount that pops into your head.

3)Plan a family conference to discuss ways to give. Ask your family members to be thinking of ideas in advance. Be sure to involve your children, no matter how young they are. This is a great opportunity to teach giving and faith.

4) At your family conference, read the following Bible promises and instructions and make a list of what you learn:

Prov. 3:9-10; Prov. 11:24-25; Luke 6:38; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:1-12; 2 Cor. 9:6-12; Mat. 6:19-20

In your family conference, ask yourselves aloud these questions:

Regarding our cash gift:

How much cash could we gather by commitment Sunday?
Is there anything we could sell or convert to cash?
Do we have any tangible gift we could give?

Regarding our 36 month commitment:
Are there ways we could decrease our expenses in order to make a larger commitment?
Are there ways we could increase our income in order to make a larger commitment?

Decide as a family the total amount you will give, hold hands and have a prayer of commitment similar to this:

”Father, this is a big step for us. We’re asking you to strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually through giving. We thank you for all you have given us.  We know we wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for you. We want to be cheerful givers. We’re claiming the promises you said in your word that you’ll take care of our needs if we trust you. Thank you for this opportunity to grow.  We thank you for our opportunity to grow and thank you for our church family.   In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

 

 
 
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