>Online Giving



The P.L.O.W. Principle

PRAY
As in every area of life, for success to take place, prayer must be the foundation.  Prayer must be an essential part of every decision we make.  To keep our hearts centered on the Lord’s desires for us, prayer must be a pattern in our lives. 

LISTEN
Once you have prayed and asked God what you should give, the next step is to listen.  

Listen with your head

Reason out what is right for you to do or give.  Consider your income, and determine, based on logic, what your giving should be. 

1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”

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

We are not talking necessarily about a faith move here, just common sense.  If we know that something is the right thing to do, then we should do it.  And that is the way it is with tithing.  The tithe is the Biblical principle that is at the foundation of our giving.  On at least three occasions Jesus refers to the tithe as something that should be done. 

Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

God instructs us to bring the tithe which is one tenth of all that we have received.  He tells us to bring it into the storehouse.  Scripture would imply that this means the local church – the place where you receive nourishment and spiritual growth.  Then He says, “Test me in this.”  He is giving us permission to put this principle to the test.  This is followed by the promise that He will pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

God’s Word goes on to say, “I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty.  "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land."  Malachi 3:11-12

Listen with your hands

What do you have in your hands to give?  What resources has He entrusted you with that can be given back to Him?

The Gospel tells of the time that Jesus had over 5000 people out in the countryside to feed at dinner time and all that was available was a young boy’s lunch.  The boy only had five loaves and two fish in his hands to give, but when he placed (surrendered) it in God’s hands, God made something great of it.  Jesus was able to feed the 5000 and the boy had more left over than he started with. 

You have to listen with your head to know what God is asking you to give.

Listen with your heart

When God drops it in your heart to give something, it might not make sense to you, but be willing to step out in faith and trust Him.  If you are acting in response to God’s Spirit, then it becomes His concern to make it possible.

OBEY

Scripture talks about giving in some unique ways. 

Giving is an act of grace.
“But 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.”  2 Corinthians 8:7

Giving is a gift.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously…”  Romans 12:6-8

And when we obey…

WATCH

We watch God fulfill His promises.

“…God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:8