Giving is a Christian lifestyle - the 3rd principle of giving

Shared in church on Oct 13

What do you think is a Christian lifestyle?

Lifestyle is defined as:

"A way of life or a style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or a group"

Today people adopt many lifestyles: shopping lifestyle, exercise lifestyle, travelling lifestyle, working lifestyle. In fact some of us adopt what I call the "smartphone lifestyle" where our hands are glued on the smartphone for the most part of our waking hours - playing games, updating our Facebook or simply emailing!

These are the physical lifestyles that a person can adopt but we must not neglect the spiritual lifestyle which has the ability to influence all other areas of our life.

There are 3 features or characteristics of the lifestyle of a sincere Christian:

1. Giving
2. Praying
3. Fasting

Today for us to grow as a Christian or disciple of the Lord the aspects of this lifestyle is non-negotiable.

Matthew 6: 2-3 "When you give..." (2x)

Matthew 6:5-7 "When you pray...." (3x)

Matthew 6:16-17 "When you fast...." (2x)

The word used is "when". It is not "if" thus a believer who desires to grow has no option on the same!

The 3 aspects are so important to the Lord that He gave us several guidelines to follow in Matthew 6 concerning each of these principles.

Cornelius comes to mind when I think of an example in the Bible of someone who has adopted this lifestyle even though he was not a Christian in the sense of the word.

He gave (Acts 10:2), he prayed to God always (Acts 10:2) and he fasted (Acts 10:30). As we all know not only was he blessed with salvation and the baptisms, his entire household also experienced the same blessings!

When we adopt giving as a lifestyle we will never be barren or unfruitful. Titus 3:14 "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs that they may not be unfruitful'

"Doing good works" and "giving to needs" are in actual fact acts of giving. 

Truly a lifestyle of giving is not just limited to giving our money (which is very important) but it also involves a spirit of giving or a heart of giving. When in the spirit of giving - we give of our tithes and offering, we give to those in need, we give of our time, energy, talents, gifts, energy, love, resources to do God's work - we are sowing seeds that will bring forth a great harvest. A harvest of financial blessings and richness/abundance in every area of our life!

This coming Christmas, even as you give your offering today, consider the giving of your time to be involved in CPAS, to invite your friends & family or just to simply pray for this event corporately with others whenever there is a call to do so.

What were we created for?

This short message was shared as part of the offering exhortation in church last Sunday:

What were we created for?

I believe that God created us for 3 main reasons:

1. To give Him pleasure

Remember the song "Thou art worthy, thou art worthy O Lord. For thou hast created, hast all things created, thou hast created all things. And for thy pleasure they were created, thou art worthy O Lord"

Col 1:16 "For by Him all things were created...in heaven and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him"

2. For good works

Eph 2:10 "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

3. For true righteousness and holiness

Eph 4:24 "That you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness"