On Being Reformed - Commitment #5: “Financially support the church cheerfully and sacrificially.”

As we move into the final four commitments of our Knox Membership Covenant, we are no longer building on the covenant's foundation; rather, they all flow from the foundation that the first four have set in place. So far, we have seen that Scripture is our authority in all we do, that holiness is our calling as Christians and for the church itself, and that gathering and fellowship are God’s ordinary means of pursuing holiness together. Each of the first four commitments requires people to willingly and sacrificially invest in the life of the church.

Building on that foundation, we now come to four commitments that govern the practical life of the gathered church. The first of these four commitments stems from the question: ‘How do we sustain and advance the ministry of the Church?’ And one way Scripture calls believers to do this is through generous financial support. We see this in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where Paul writes that “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Paul teaches that giving is both an act of worship, for God loves a cheerful giver, and a command, since "each one must give." Yet Paul also explains that Christian giving is to be thoughtful and willing, as each person has decided in his heart. Earlier in this letter, he makes it clear that our giving should not burden us (2 Cor. 8:13). When we consider Paul's teaching in its context, we see that Christian giving is never intended to drive a believer into financial ruin or irresponsible stewardship. This also reminds us that Paul is not establishing a mandatory minimum percentage, as some claim, but calling every believer to generous, cheerful, and sacrificial giving according to what God has entrusted to them. 

Yet Paul does not leave our motivation for giving to the command alone, but points to Christ’s sacrificial gift to us as an example. Paul writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Christ willingly gave up the riches and glory of heaven, humbled Himself by taking on flesh, and ultimately gave His own life so that we, who were spiritually bankrupt, might receive the immeasurable riches of His grace. When we understand the generosity Christ has shown us in the gospel, reluctant giving is replaced by joyful gratitude and worship toward the One who first gave everything for us. 

If Christ's generosity toward us is to shape our own giving, then we must ask what that generosity looks like in practice. Often, the issue is not a lack of resources but the priorities of our hearts. We frequently find money for the worldly things we truly value while convincing ourselves that generosity toward Christ's church is somehow beyond our means and a burden. Yet when Scripture reshapes our hearts, our priorities begin to change. Our earthly desires begin to diminish as we realize what truly matters. We recognize that everything we possess belongs to God, and we become faithful stewards who seek first His kingdom rather than our own comforts. 

And the main way we, as Christians, are called to do this is by supporting the church. We even see Paul devoting a significant portion of his third missionary journey to organizing and collecting an offering for the church in Jerusalem, which was in need. We also see several passages where Paul instructs the church to pay elders so they can lead their churches effectively (Gal 6:6, 1 Tim 5:17-18, Phil 4:15-18). But for the church to meet the ordinary needs of ministry, hospitality, missions, and other practical matters, it requires the faithful generosity of God's people as Christ advances His mission through His church. 

However, we must always remember that the church is not a business but Christ’s body. Every member is called to use the gifts God has given them, including their finances, time, and spiritual gifts, to help the body flourish. We covenant together to share in this ministry, and Acts 2 gives us a beautiful picture of believers contributing according to their ability as they served one another. That remains the pattern we strive to follow today. 

Returning to 2 Corinthians 9:7, we are reminded that our giving is to be done without compulsion but with joy. Therefore, if your giving is motivated only by obligation rather than joyful worship, your first response should be to ask God to change your heart. Pray that He would help you see giving as Scripture presents it, so that your generosity flows from gratitude rather than compulsion. Then give cheerfully and sacrificially, according to the means God has entrusted to you, regularly and intentionally, as an act of worship to Him. 

Giving in this way matters for several reasons. It demonstrates our love for Christ as we care for His Church and provide for its ministry. It strengthens the church, enables it to care for saints in need, displays our trust in God's provision, and unites us as we together bear responsibility for the body of Christ. 

Lastly, we must always remember that God has never, and will never, need our money to advance His Kingdom. Yet, in His wisdom, He chooses to accomplish the work of His Church through the joyful giving of His people. Every gift, whether large or small, becomes an act of worship and an investment in His Kingdom. As members of Knox Baptist Church, we have joyfully committed ourselves to this work together, trusting that God will continue to provide for His Church through the willing hearts of His people. 

I pray that we continue to grow in our faith, as we grow in our reliance on God to meet our needs.

Soli Deo Gloria

Pastor Steven Larson