When a recession hit Jerusalem, Paul asked the believers at Corinth to give offerings to meet this need: ‘Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem’ (vv. 1-3 NIVUK).

A healthy church will always have two things: in-reach and outreach. It will endeavour to meet both the spiritual and material needs of people. In the Old Testament, God told His people, ‘If there is among you a poor man of your brethren…you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother’ (Deuteronomy 15:7 NKJV). When you have a true encounter with Christ, you will have a heart for hurting people. ‘Then Zacchaeus…said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house”’ (Luke 19:8-9 NKJV).

When it comes to giving to God, the Bible encourages us to share what we have and give generously. You should be guided by your love for God: ‘So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV).