What They Gave Outlived Them

Being generous with money is in the DNA of church

The early church was amazingly different than the pagan culture around it. One way in particular was with money. The pagans were known to be very stingy with their money. But the early Christians were known to be very generous with their money.

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need…and they had favor with all the people.” (Acts 2:44, 47)

Even while persecuting the early church, Roman Emperor Julian said this about the Christians:

“Why do we not observe that it is the Christians’ benevolence to strangers, their care for the graves of the dead, and the pretended holiness of their lives that have done most to decrease atheism. For it is disgraceful that Christians support not only their own poor but ours as well, and all men see that our people lack aid from us.”

Look at the history of Christians God has blessed financially and you’ll find a clear track record of generosity among them. Whether it’s paying tithe to establish and maintain a ministry, or sending money to foreign fields, or raising money to build a new facilities, or taking special offerings to help a family in need, Believers who are open-handed with their money experience abundance.

What We Give Lives On

What those who have gone before us gave, and what we now give, lives on. Money placed at the apostle’s feet…a basket handed out in a tent meeting…offering plates passed down the pews of a sanctuary…or the hitting of the “send” button to complete an online gift, all connect us together to something much bigger than ourselves, and will live on long after were gone.