Spiritual Principles for Christian Giving

1. There is in Scripture a wide range of material to undergird a theological basis for stewardship in general and the giving of money to God’s work in particular. Specifically, we would point to:

• the fact of creation and that the origin of everything lies in God (1 Chronicles 29:10-16);
• the generosity of God’s dealings with his creation (Matthew 5:45; 20:13-15);
• the requirement concerning tithes, offerings and first-fruits (Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 18:1-5; Numbers 18:21, 24-29);
• the free gift of his Son and the subsequent self-giving of Jesus on the cross (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:9);
• the call to be responsible, honest and accountable stewards for all that God has given us (Genesis 2:15; 1 Peter 4:10); and
• the teaching of Jesus that our giving should be from the heart and sacrificial (Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21, 24; Luke 21:1-4).

2. In the light of this, we wish to commend the following seven principles:

• Christian giving is a response of gratitude to God for all he has given us, both in terms of creation (the gift of life) and salvation (the gift of eternal life);
• Christian giving is much more than money. It involves recognising that God has entrusted us with gifts (money, possessions, spiritual gifts, time, the planet we have been given to live on, the gospel we have received – in fact our very lives) which we are to use wisely in his service.
• Christian giving is primarily the responsibility of the Christian community (not the government or non-Christians) and one in which all church members, of whatever age or description, are called to participate;
• Christian giving is to resource God’s mission, not just balance the books. It enables us to share in God’s action in his church, his world and in us, as we are transformed by the grace of giving;
• Christian giving is an integral part of discipleship and a significant indication of our commitment to Christ, the mission to which he has called us and the task on which he sends us;
• Christian giving is sacrificial (2 Corinthians 8:1-3), proportionate (Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:2) and cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7); and
• Christian giving leads to God’s blessing (Malachi 3:10-12). When we give freely, we receive back from God, we grow spiritually, we contribute to and share in the growth of God’s kingdom and we have the joy of seeing lives transformed.

3. As a PCC we recognise that we face a real challenge in enabling individuals and the whole church community to apply these principles. People’s differing levels of spiritual awareness and financial circumstances mean that simplistic solutions are unlikely to succeed. We need to help everyone to work out their response before God and trust him to supply what is needed to resource the ministry and mission to which he is calling us. In so doing, we acknowledge that leaders have a particular responsibility to model Christian giving.

Unanimously approved by the PCC on 24th Sept 2007