Last week I started writing some thoughts about different types of givers in churches, particularly in light of the fact that many churches have seen a dramatic drop in income over the past twelve months – generally way beyond the simple impact of the economic recession.

I talked about Overflow Givers who drop whatever they have to spare into the offering, which has no system to it apart from the fact that their own interest always take priority over the kingdom of God.

Then I wrote a few paragraphs about Obligation Givers, who can be a blessing to any church, but who may miss out themselves because their tithing stems from a sense of duty or guilt rather than being a heart issue.

So let me wrap this up with the third type of giver I’ve come across over the years and which with God’s help I have tried to be.

OPPORTUNITY GIVERS

Let me make it clear from the start that Opportunity Givers are definitely going to be regular tithers, much like their cousins, the Obligation Givers. When they are looking at their finances, giving back to God what is his is a no-brainer and that comes straight off the top line.

I’ve lived by that principle for over 45 years now, whether it was tithing on the few shillings a week I earned as a paper boy on the streets of St.Thomas, Exeter or on the real pay envelopes I got from my first summer job at Beech Brothers factory back in 1965.

We’re all prone to selfishness, but I’ve found that making sure that I give to God first keeps me remembering that all that I am and all that I have is by his grace. He could stop the flow of everything in a heartbeat, so I appreciate the 90% that he provides for me to live on and enjoy.

But Opportunity Givers are not just tithers, they go way beyond that. Because their giving is part of their worship more than a legalistic duty, they love to give. They are always happy to pick up a few words from a conversation that give them an idea of how they could help someone out. They readily respond and positively seek out ways in which they can relieve and support others through what God has given them.

Most Opportunity Givers I have met in life have not been rich people, but simple people with a big heart – don’t get me wrong, I’ve met some wealthy people who are generous too, but they started living that way way before their bank accounts were anything to take note of.

Generosity is Christ-likeness. He has freely given us more than we could ever have imagined – and thankfully none of what we truly deserve.

So real followers of Jesus will live by his principle – It is more blessed to give than to receive.

God doesn’t have full control of our hearts until we give him full control of our money. The two are inseparably linked – and that’s not something I dreamed up, Jesus said it!