“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Bishop Robert Schnase published Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations in 2007. He identified principles that growing churches embrace, including Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity.

During our October stewardship emphasis, Northside Church is exploring how to practice Extravagant Generosity as Christian disciples. Schnase wrote,

“Growing in the grace of giving is part of the Christian journey of faith, a response Christian disciples offer to God’s call to make a difference in the world.” He added, “Giving is always extravagant, life changing, and joyous.”

Most stewardship programs stress the church’s need to receive, but the Bible emphasizes the giver’s need to give. Devoted disciples practice financial faithfulness, giving generously and proportionately of their income. I’ve discovered as a pastor that freeing people to give enables them to grow in grace.

God calls us to give a tithe or tenth of our income. Both the Old and New Testament share this principle. cannot negotiate the terms, but we do choose between faithfulness or disobedience. Tithing teaches the lesson that all of our possessions belongs to God.

Jesus said where our treasure is there our hearts will be also. We often think Jesus said just the opposite; but our souls naturally follow our money. We can buy stock in a world going out of business, or we can invest in God’s kingdom that endures forever.

Join us onsite or online during October at Northside Church as we practice Extravagant Generosity.