Our Spiritual Life Affects Our Material Life

In follow up to yesterday's post titled, "Stewardship In View Of Corum Deo," I thought it would be helpful to flesh out the idea of giving in the context of grace a little more.  A special thank you to Roy Heggland for sharing these thoughts with PM Notes.


========================


Our spiritual life affects our material life.  The way we view and use our resources is determined by our relationship with God through the Gospel.

Christian Giving:

·        Is the Result of God’s grace given to us

·        Encompasses all of God’s gifts to us including, most importantly, the Gospel (the Word) itself

·        Reflects where our treasure is

·        Is for the benefit of our neighbor, to the glory of God, and for our own spiritual benefit

·        Is determined between ourselves and God

·        Is planned and systematic

·        Is done cheerfully

Giving is NOT done:

·        To win God’s favor

·        Because of a commandment or law

·        Under compulsion

Differences between Demands of the Law and the Grace of the Gospel in Christian Giving:

          1.  Law:  Give and live

     Grace:  Live and give

          2   Law:  Give so you can be someone

               Grace:  You are someone called to give

          3.  Law:  Saved and kept by giving

               Grace:  Saved and kept for giving

          4.  Law:  If we give, then God will bless

               Grace:  God has blessed and we will give