Visionary Giving...

        I believe that one of the marks of a growing disciple of Jesus Christ is becoming a "Visionary Giver" of my financial resources. Visionary Giving is giving, not out of obligation or guilt, or even giving to a need. Visionary giving, however, is not giving our of our leftovers or out of convenience. Visionary giving is about giving of my financial resources out of a vision for life change. Visionary giving is about recognizing that God changes me and changes the lives of other through my giving, and allowing THAT to be the motivation in my giving and the level of my giving.  I am personally giving a larger percentage of my income to God through His church, than ever before.                 However, I'm not ultimately giving "because I'm supposed to," or because it's commanded in the Bible. I'm giving because I know what God does IN ME when I give, in breaking me loose of greed and forming in me a heart of gratitude; and I know what God does THROUGH ME when I give: God is using my giving to change so many lives right now at Mountain Lake Church! I'm honored to give my resource to God and trust Him to use these resources to change lives! THAT'S VISIONARY GIVING! THAT ALLOWS ME TO GIVE EVEN WHEN IT'S DIFFICULT. THAT ALLOWS ME TO GIVE EVEN WHEN IT DOESN'T ADD UP. THAT ALLOWS ME TO GIVE  GENEROUSLY, AND NOT GRUDGINGLY. WHAT ABOUT YOU? ARE YOU A VISIONARY GIVER?

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NLT) 7You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV) 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us£—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Malachi 3:10 (NLT) 10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!