How we use our money is an important part of following Jesus

Why should Christians give? 

1) In response to God’s grace 
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”  (2 Corinthians 8:9)

2) To support the gospel ministry we benefit from
“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?”  (1 Corinthians 9:11-12)

3) To partner in gospel ministry across the world
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you… It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from unbelievers. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth”.  (3 John 5-8)

4) To ease the suffering of Christians elsewhere
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?…When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’”. (Matthew 25:37-40)

5) To show that God alone is our master
“No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24)

How should Christians give?

1) Joyfully
We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian church. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity”. (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)

2) Thoughtfully 
“Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

3) Sacrificially
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put… Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny…Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on”. (Mark 12:41-44)

4) Privately
“Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them … But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that our giving may be in secret”. (Matthew 6:1-4)

If you would like to begin giving financially to the work of St Thomas’, please download and fill in our giving flyer.