Begging to Give PRESIDENT 'S PERSPECTIVE


by KEVIN STONE, PRESIDENT


If there is a theme for this edition of the Fellowship Focus, it is “love.” As be- lievers, love should define us. We should love God with heart, soul, mind,


and strength. We should love others. We should love the Church, the Bride of Christ. As I think of how love is displayed, one word that comes to mind is giving. To love someone well is to give of yourself to meet their needs. So if I love, I should give.


In church, it is no popular thing to talk about


giving. Somewhere along the line, churches got the rep- utation of “always asking for money.” I am certain that some church leaders have earned this reputation, but they are rare in my experience. In fact, I would suggest that many churches preach or teach too little about giving, for fear of a negative reaction. I do not often talk about giving either. I would rather we serve faithfully and count on the Spirit to move people to give. But for some reason, God has put it on my heart today to remind us that the world will know we are Christians by our love — and loving involves giving.


In 2 Corinthians 8 – 9, Paul encourages the church


at Corinth to continue supporting the impoverished church at Jerusalem. It seems likely that famine and ongoing persecution have caused the believers in Jeru- salem to struggle for survival. To encourage the Corin- thians, Paul points out the faithfulness of the believers in Macedonia, who were “begging us earnestly for the favor” (2 Cor. 8:4) of giving to this cause.


This might seem odd — why would anyone have


to beg to give? When there is a need, we want people to give. But Paul mentioned in verse 2 that the Mace- donians had experienced affliction and deep poverty themselves. I can picture Paul and other church leaders saying: “No, you don’t have to give — you need this


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money for your own survival,” and the Macedonians begging to be allowed to give out of their poverty. That is a powerful picture of sacrificial love.


Inevitably, when alerted that there is a deep need,


our churches (you) respond generously. I expect great things of God, and yet at times the generosity of the saints is still a wonderful surprise. These outpourings of love through giving are a blessing to me. But even when there is no plea for a specific need, regular giving is essential — giving to others and giving to support ministry.


Your church has bills to pay, ministers to support,


and needs they could meet both spiritually and physi- cally. All of these things take funding, and the people of God are the only source for that funding. God uses his church to accomplish his purposes. Let us generously support that work, based on our love for God and not on any perception about the ministry’s worthiness.


The FEBC has needs as well. We have been work-


ing hard (through staffing and resources) to increase our ability to help your church. We have stepped out in faith to follow God’s leading, and to faithfully serve the leaders of your church. We continue to seek out oppor- tunities to plant new churches and to add like-minded churches to our Fellowship. Please do not consider donating to the FEBC instead of your own local church, but if you are able to help the FEBC in addition to your local church giving, we would be blessed by your gift.


Remember that ministry requires much more than


money. What else might you give? Do you have time you could donate to serve at your church or within our Fellowship? Do you have gifts that you are not currently sharing within your church body? Are you being hospi- table to your fellow believers?


What about displaying your love for others? Do you


have funds or possessions that could bless a neighbor in need? Are you hospitable to your neighbors? Do your friends and coworkers know you as a person who is generous in all things?


We are human, and, in our fallen state, we are self-


ish. At times, we can be reluctant givers. Perhaps we should be begging to give.


FELLOWSHIP FOCUS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 2


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