Investing

Each of us receives things we can never repay. As children, we receive care. As adults, we live in a nation where we can think and vote and worship freelly. We choose where to work, what to buy, when to relax, and how to live. Investing is giving to others as someone gave to us.

The Bilbical Principle of Spiritual Investment

Jesus said that since we receive much, we should give much (see Luke 12:48). Amazingly, we received God's gifts. So we're responsible to give back to God. God has given us his amazing grace. So now we are responsible to give back to him (I Corinthians 4:2).

This is really a kind of spiritual investing. When we invest in stock, we expect a return. Spiritual investing also produces a return. When we invest spiritually, we receive back more than we give.

Principle: Just as we freely receive God's gifts, so we freely give back to God.

You can’t mature spiritually without learning this core value. Those who refuse to follow this principle are condemned by their own choices to less satisfying lives.

Four Things We Invest

Giving back to God means investing time, spiritual gifts, influence, and money.

We all have the same amount of time. Whenever we give the precious gift of time by volunteering to serve in the church, we  communicate that we value others.

God gives spiritual gifts to every Christ-follower. We are expected to use those gifts to help nurture the Body and to help enlarge the Kingdom. This gives us the privilege making an impact in others’ lives.

Every one of us has a circle of influence. As stewards of influence, we should persuade those who watch our lives and listen to our words to follow Jesus Christ.

Although we receive money from our work, it’s really God who meets our financial needs (Matthew 6:19-20). God expects us to give back part of what he gives us. The biblical principle is tithing.

Tithing

Tithing is giving to God’s work 10% of the income with which God blesses us. The question is not: Why am I obligated to give 10% of what is rightfully mine to God? It’s: Why is God so generous to permit me to use 90% of his blessings for myself?

Tithing was part of the OT expectation for God’s people (Numbers 18:20-32). Jesus assumed his followers tithed (Matthew 23:23). More than this, he and the apostles taught us to give generously. Not only should we give regularly and intentionally, but we should give cheerfully (I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 9:6-10).

Giving 10% to God seems impossible at first. It’s not. It’s like saving for retirement. It’s fruitless to spend as much as like first and then to try and save out of what’s left over. When we deduct savings from our pay, we adjust and don’t notice the deduction. It works to save first and then live on what’s left over. Similarly, it works to invest spiritually first and then adjust.

Looking for creative ways to give to God? Click here.

Questions

Must all the giving go to a local church? This is debated. We say this is between you and God. We assume that many who call Faith “home” will give to their church family first. Still, if God prompts, it’s good to support other worthy Christian causes.

How’s the money spent? Faith uses two funds, the Operating Fund and the Capital Fund. The Operating Fund supports ongoing expenses, while the Capital Fund funds one-time capital projects. Those new to Faith should begin their investing in the Operating Fund, but may chose later to invest in the Capital Fund.

Must everyone give 10%? We teach the graduated tithe. Those who are seriously impoverished and those who are just beginning to invest spiritually may give less than 10%. We teach that every person should start somewhere. Those who are well off should give more than 10%. They may even “reverse tithe,” giving 90% and living on 10%. The idea isn’t equal percentage. It’s equal sacrifice.

Summary

We know some people are turned off by talk of money. But God asks us to invest, not just to support his work, but so that we grow to trust him. Learning the Principle of Spiritual Investing is one of life’s most powerful and enriching lessons. Remember, God has promised that we can’t “outgive” him.

Serving Opportunities

Interested in discovering how you can be the hands and feet of Jesus? Click here or on the volunteer link above to see a list of volunteer opportunities. You can easily sort this list to show you the opportunities that will interest you.