A Litany of Christian Giving A Litany of Christian Giving

Hear the Word of God: Hear the Word of God:

‘I will not offer gifts to the Lord my God which cost me nothing’ ‘I will not offer gifts to the Lord my God which cost me nothing’ (2 Sam 24:24) (2 Sam 24:24)

Lord, may our giving be sacrificial and worthy of you. Lord, may our giving be sacrificial and worthy of you.

‘The people still kept bringing freewill offerings so that all the able ‘The people still kept bringing freewill offerings so that all the able men who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came and men who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came and said to : ‘The people bring much more than enough for doing said to Moses: ‘The people bring much more than enough for doing the work which the Lord has commanded us to do.’ So the people the work which the Lord has commanded us to do.’ So the people were restrained from bringing more …’ (Exodus 36:6-7) were restrained from bringing more …’ (Exodus 36:6-7)

Lord, may our giving be generous and overflowing so that the Lord, may our giving be generous and overflowing so that the work of your church may not be hindered. work of your church may not be hindered.

‘What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will repay ‘What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will repay my vows to the Lord.’ (Psalm 116:12-14) my vows to the Lord.’ (Psalm 116:12-14)

Lord, may we honour the promises we make to you at every Lord, may we honour the promises we make to you at every stage of our life, and the pledges we will make in the future. stage of our life, and the pledges we will make in the future.

‘Bring the full tithes into the storehouse and thereby put me to the ‘Bring the full tithes into the storehouse and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven test, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down an overflowing blessing.’(Malachi 3:10) for you and pour down an overflowing blessing.’(Malachi 3:10)

Lord, may we not defraud you of your dues lest we miss out Lord, may we not defraud you of your dues lest we miss out on the blessing you want to shower upon us all. on the blessing you want to shower upon us all.

‘They gave according to their means, and beyond their means, of ‘They gave according to their means, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints.’ (:3) in the relief of the saints.’ (2 Corinthians 8:3)

Lord, may we be honest and realistic before you in our giving. Lord, may we be honest and realistic before you in our giving. ‘Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or ‘Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ (2 Corinthians 9:7) under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Lord, may we give to you freely and cheerfully and Lord, may we give to you freely and cheerfully and unstintingly. unstintingly.

‘You will be enriched in every way for great generosity …’ ‘You will be enriched in every way for great generosity …’ (2 Corinthians 9:11) (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Lord, may we be generous in our giving for you are so Lord, may we be generous in our giving for you are so generous to us. generous to us.

‘On the first day of every week each of you is to put something aside ‘On the first day of every week each of you is to put something aside and store it up …’ (1 Cor 16:2) and store it up …’ (1 Cor 16:2)

Lord, may we be disciplined and businesslike in our giving. Lord, may we be disciplined and businesslike in our giving.

‘Under the test of this service you will glorify God by your obedience ‘Under the test of this service you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the Gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your in acknowledging the Gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your contribution.’ (2 Corinthians 9:13) contribution.’ (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Lord, may we be obedient to your Word in this aspect of Lord, may we be obedient to your Word in this aspect of its teaching. its teaching.

‘Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, ‘Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together running over, for the measure you give will be the shaken together running over, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back …’ (:38) measure you get back …’ (Luke 6:38)

Lord, may we be grateful for your amazing generosity to us Lord, may we be grateful for your amazing generosity to us and for your promises to us. and for your promises to us.

‘First they gave themselves to the Lord …’ (2 Corinthians 8:5) ‘First they gave themselves to the Lord …’ (2 Corinthians 8:5)

Lord, may we give you our whole lives as a worthy offering Lord, may we give you our whole lives as a worthy offering out of gratitude for all your goodness to us. out of gratitude for all your goodness to us.

Almighty God and Living Lord, You have not only created us Almighty God and Living Lord, You have not only created us but have brought us into New Life in Christ: pour out upon us but have brought us into New Life in Christ: pour out upon us Your Spirit of generosity that we may show forth the self-giving love Your Spirit of generosity that we may show forth the self-giving love of in our lives as a witness to Him in His world. of Jesus in our lives as a witness to Him in His world. We ask this in His holy and precious name. We ask this in His holy and precious name.

Amen. Amen.