You may be familiar with this somewhat famous part of scripture from 2 Corinthians 9:
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9: 7
What you might be less familiar with is the reason Paul was writing to the Corinthians about giving- because it wasn’t about supporting the local church. Paul was actually organising for a collection to be taken from a range of churches for impoverished Christians back in Jerusalem. The giving he’s talking about will go to Christians the Corinthians would never see.
Now don’t get me wrong – the truths around giving we find in 2 Cor 8-9 still form how we think about giving to the church we call home. In their immediate context however, they govern the principles of what we might now call ‘mission giving’; giving to relieve Christians outside our locality. Christians we will most likely never meet.
Mission giving is relevant for us to think about because our Annual Thanksgiving Day (ATD) is just around the corner, on Sunday 29 September. ATD presents an opportunity to bless beyond our normal giving, beyond our local parish, and beyond those with the ability to bless us back. (Scroll to the end of this blog to learn more about this year’s ATD projects and how to give).
So, here are 3 principles for ‘mission giving’ from 2 Corinthians to help us prepare for ATD.
1. From grace, without command
We’ve already seen this in 2 Corinthians 9:7, but this ethos has been in Paul’s instructions from the beginning of this section.
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
2 Cor 8: 7-8
Paul doesn’t command the Corinthians to give – though it was well within his rights to do so. Paul was an apostle, and the gentile apostle; had he written a command to give, the Corinthians would have had to follow. But that would have been counterproductive. More than money for Jerusalem, Paul wants to see grace abound in the Corinthians.
So, as we come to ATD, we give not out of command, nor out of obligation. No-one will tell us or force us to give to the ATD causes/ gift projects. But it was the apostles’ hope that the church would ‘excel in this act of grace also’, that we might love the church in its broader sense.
2. Two powerful examples guide us
We’re then given two examples from biblical history that help shape ‘mission giving’.
One from the Old Testament, where God provided manna in the desert for wandering Israel. He did so in a way that was equitable- no one had lack, and no one had excess.
Paul also gives an even stronger example!
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
At the cross, Christ Jesus gave up riches beyond our understanding, that we might be given every spiritual blessing. And given these models, Paul says that he wants the Corinthians’ “[…] abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness” (2 Cor 8:14).
Paul wants abundance in the church to fill the lack in the church, even as that changes over time.
And whilst every person’s circumstance is unique, as St Michael’s church, we certainly sit as a church in abundance. That’s why we have things like mission partners and ATD – that our abundance might fill other Christians’ need.
So, as we give this ATD, my encouragement to you is to be fuelled by a desire to see the global church provided for by the means that God has given it – churches in abundance.
3. For the glory of God
At the end of the day however, money remains an earthly resource – one that is important to steward wisely – but Paul’s vision for the collection is far greater than that.
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, theywill glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
2 Cor 9: 12-14
When it comes to it, what Paul is really after is for God to be glorified. Both by generosity only possible by the Spirit’s work, and the thanksgiving of those receiving the collection. The grace of God extends through and to churches, and in thanksgiving, He is glorified.
It’s why we call it Annual Thanksgiving Day, and not Annual Giving Day. Our goal should be the same as Paul’s: God’s glory! So, we’ll spend ATD giving thanks to God for all He has given us, trusting our beneficiaries are doing the same, all so that God might be glorified. Then, we can join in saying:
Praise be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Cor 9: 15
In Him,
Justin Blanch
Ministry Trainee
This year we’re starting our ATD appeal with a thanksgiving service on Sunday 29th September. Following this Sunday, gifts towards the ATD causes can be made any time from Sept 29th until the end of October. This year we’re supporting seven causes (organisations/individuals) in 4 different categories…
- Relational
- Bible College Students: Johnny ($500), Jake ($500), Peter Sun ($2000), Ash Braithwaite – $2000.
Target: $5,000
2. Intergenerational
- Youthworks ‘complete in Christ’ campaign.
Target: $5,000.
3. Word Beyond: Diocese, Country, International
- New Churches for New Communities (Target: $5,000)
- Local Leaders International. (Target: $5,000)
- Bush Church Aid. (Target: $5,000)
4. Poor & suffering
- Open doors. (Target: $5,000)
- Anglican Aid (Target: $5,000)
How to give
Please consider giving electronically, making sure to label the description as ‘ATD‘, details found below. Alternatively, for cash donations, pre-labelled envelopes will be available to collect from church on Sundays from 29 September until 27 October (or from the office).
“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12)
To make an electronic donation for Annual Thanksgiving Day (ATD)*:
A/c Name: St Michaels Anglican Cathedral Wollongong
BSB: 032 694
A/c No: 266482
Description: “ATD”
* Donations can be received until the end of October, 2024.
