That’s how God funds the family business. Sometimes it is hard to receive – perhaps pride or embarrassment – but that’s what we do with Jesus. And it the givers get the most joy out of it as they give to God!

The giving that God does to us, in love is for giving too.  So what ever is given to you should be received in this joyful spirit but held lightly and given in this spirit too.

As you begin to support raise, it’s important to work out your thoughts on giving. Some people, and theologians, hold strictly to a 10% tithe, while others think this is oppressive and legalistic. Some also consider saving regularly an important part of stewarding gift income. And others still, have policy on giving to local church before other initiatives. SPEAK doesn’t have any rules about this but it is important to consider careful how you want to manage your income and what your goals therefore are before setting off!

The Heritage of Gift Income

God has set us/you aside to do something specific for him which means you are not free to generate income like some others. But in God’s family it’s ok for you to be supported by these others. It’s part of how God’s family works. Here are some examples for reflection and study.

Priests and Levites: (Numbers 18: 8-32 esp 20&21)

In Hebrew the same word is used for inheritance as a brook or stream. God is like the inheritance connecting and watering both sides of the stream. Remember that we work to please God, not our supporters. We and our supporters work in partnership under God.

Jesus: (Luke 8: 1-3)

Has a team of people around him from all walks of life. Jesus example helps us to deal with pride. This is the son of God accepting gifts from his creation. He could have supported himself through miracles but Jesus was more interested in leading by example, showing us how we need each other and need to stay connected as his body in a very practical way.

This was particularly the case with the women who supported him. In those days women were lower members of society than men but in Jesus’ group, they were financial supporters and he relied on them. At the end, they were first at tomb, ahead of his team. Supporters might stick longer than a team you are part of – they want to help when there is trouble. Don’t disregard that when times are tough! You have a big impact on their lives and they feel a connection

Jesus was also the ultimate giver – we need to be sacrificial as well in our giving.

Paul and the Corinthians – where it didn’t work (1 Cor 9: 3-12)

This is a passage were Paul is responding to the lack of support from Corinth. It’s clear that it’s a very damaged relationship. We are not suggesting that you make this sort of response but it is plain to see his frustration at the lack of support for God’s work from those who had received grace via Paul.

Paul and the Philippians – where it did work (Phil 4: 4-16)

Lydia is the first Christian recorded as a giver. There are also a prisoner and a girl with demons who help him go on. They give in response to God’s grace. It’s the first thank you letter from a missionary to a supporter. And Paul had only met them twice!

At this point Paul is old an under house arrest and unlikely to go on any more missionary journeys. So why give? The relationship. And it’s plain to see that Paul is excited that they gave, not that he received.

Two further examples

John the Baptist: he talks of the connection to repentance and possessions. He encouraged giving away as part of repentance. Our giving and our supporters giving is part of our discipleship journey. How can you help your friends think through stewardship? Agape have made their support raising training part of their discipleship training and staff who have gone through that have done far better.

Elijah: He is starving and so is the widow and her son. He has to have faith that God will provide through their act of faith otherwise they will die and so will he eventually, with Elijah effectively killing them. It appears to be anti-biblical. But God brings the widow in to a relationship with him through this act. It’s pretty desperate and we’ll never be in that situation, but don’t be afraid of the tough ones or times!