Context is Key to Understanding the Scripture
March 1, 2025
God spoke a promise through the prophet Malachi that if we would bring our tithes into the storehouse He would:
“… open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).
Paul reminded the church of Jesus’ words:
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
As Christians, we wholeheartedly believe in these promises. As pastors, we communicate these concepts in our preaching and teaching. Those who support God’s work financially have personally experienced the blessings that come to those who give.
One area of giving that brings great joy and satisfaction is giving to world missions. Giving to missions enables us to connect to the work of God in far-away places we will likely never visit. Missions giving is unselfish giving because we are investing in places where we receive no immediate personal benefit. When we give to missions, we are giving to a cause that is dear to the heart of God. I believe there are special blessings for those who give to help spread the gospel to regions of the world beyond our local church and community.
I believe we all desire to give more to world missions – both individually and as churches. Stories of churches or individuals giving large sums to world missions, inspire to give more. Realizing the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few, challenges me to give more. When I see the sacrifice of missionaries around the world, I’m compelled to give more. But is there a practical and systematic way to increase my giving to world missions? The answer is, yes! In fact, I want to share a way that you can give more to missions than you ever thought possible.
Several years ago, Bishop Kenneth Carpenter shared with me a concept that has enabled our church to give more to world missions than I ever dreamed possible. Following his advice, at the beginning of a new year, I looked at the total that our church gave to missions in the previous year. I decided in that new year, our church would increase the previous year’s total amount given to missions by ten percent. Ten percent isn’t a lot – I knew we could do that.
By following this method, if a church, for example, was giving a total of $1500 per month to missions in a particular year, by adding ten percent, that church would give $1650 per month in the new year. The following year, by increasing ten percent again, that church would be giving $1815p per month.
Faith Apostolic Church of Carmel has been following this plan for over a decade. Each January, our secretary gives me a breakdown of the total amount we gave in the previous year and which missionaries or projects we gave to. I add ten percent to that total and allot that new amount to whatever fields I feel led to support that year. Do the math. Adding ten percent annually will result in doubling the original amount in just 7.2 years. One would triple the original amount in just 11.5 years.
I’m in awe of how much our church gives monthly to missions. If you had asked me ten years ago if our church could ever afford to give the amount we are giving today, I would have said, “No way! It’s not possible. We could never afford to give that much and pay our mortgage, utilities, payroll, and other expenses.” But do you know what? We’ve never been unable to meet the commitment we made each new year. The money has always been there.
We are not in a less favorable financial situation today due to annual increases in giving to missions. We are in a better financial position. God has blessed our church financially. I’m 100% convinced it is because of our giving to missions. Faith Apostolic Church is debt-free. We can take good care of our staff, and we are able to save for future growth. We just completed a 7-figure remodel and expansion project and did not have to borrow a penny. I’m grateful for God’s blessings, and I know His blessings are a result of our giving to world missions.
I don’t plan on stopping. We’ll continue to increase our mission’s giving by ten percent each year. I just did the math. When I see what we’ll be giving in 10 more years at this pace, I’m blown away. It’s more than I ever thought possible
If you want to give more to missions than you ever thought possible, I encourage you to employ this simple yet effective plan. The best time to start this method was 10 or 20 years ago. But the 2nd best time is today. If a church were giving a small amount per month to missions, it would take many years to reach a significant amount. So, you may want to “jump-start” the process initially by doubling what you’re currently giving for a few years. But remember, by simply adding 10% annually you will double the original amount in about 7 years and triple it in about 11 years.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” ~Jesus
