They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
“Giving is a means by which we meet the needs of others who God also loves. By giving to others we testify to God’s love for them. So giving becomes not only a means by which people’s needs are met; it also is a form of evangelism which allows us to tell of God’s greatest gift, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will meet far more than their momentary physical needs. Giving to God is a guaranteed investment with certain return. Investment in God is a no-risk, always profitable, act that is not subject to the whims of the stock market or of economic uncertainties. It has been said that our lives should resemble a channel, not a reservoir. A reservoir stores up water. A channel is constantly flowing. God wants us to be a channel of blessing to others. When we are, it is we who receive the greatest blessing of all.”
Billy Graham in Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010) reading for 23 March.
Giving in the early church drew many to faith.
It’s happening again, right now through a vision GTP launched in Malawi called Palmful of Maize. Take seven minutes to watch a video. See how God is working in the nation and hear how it is bringing people to Christ.
But don’t just watch it. Host a watch party with your friends or at your church. Click here for a kit. Why?
This vision to “give God what you have” is not only breaking the cycle of external dependency and solving the hunger issue in Malawi with outside support, it’s winning people to Christ.
I was there in Malawi when a pastor testified that five new families had joined the church because they saw the change in their children who had learned about giving at the church. I heard similar stories in other districts.
Graham was right. Giving is not only a form of evangelism. It’s a “no-risk, always profitable, act.” Please watch the video. Host a watch party. Learn more and make a gift to GTP to spread this vision here.
This vision you see from the video tells the story of what’s happening in 12 of 28 districts in Malawi. I am praying for funds to deploy the team to the other 16 districts.
And I got an email from Zimbabwe last night begging GTP to train workers to spread the vision there. GTP will do this as God supplies funds. Pray with me for those resources and give God what you have! Thanks.
And pray for me today. I am facilitating Stations of Generosity in Puerto Montt, Chile, for Caminando en Victoria to empower their board, staff, and volunteers to replicate it for their network to multiply generous stewards.