Sacrificial Giving involves four principles:
A gift is freely given and gratefully received. It is not a tax or an assessment but something we share generously without condition or reservation. The gift is not contingent on the particular use made of it.
We plan the things in life that are important to us and so we should plan our Church support. Those who choose to live sacrificially will give prayerful consideration to their gift. Usually they will prepare it at home and wrap it in an envelope. The envelope is another sign of their commitment to the Lord.
Our gift should reflect our relationship with God. In considering how God has blessed us we should look at our whole life, our health, our families, our jobs etc. Our money is only a reflection of all our gifts. As our awareness of God’s goodness in our lives grows, many people find it easy to increase their giving. This is possible because they can clearly see the difference between needs and wants.
Many people want a measure for what they should be giving. To church and charity the ideal would be the tithe or 10%. Since Canadians on average give less than 1% to church and charity, one suggestion is one hours pay per week to church and a similar amount to charity.
The gift becomes sacrificial when it comes from our substance, when we are required to do without something we thought we needed. We are changed in the process of giving. If it does not require a change, then it is only a donation and not a sacrifice. To be a sacrifice, to ‘make holy’ the work of the week, it needs to demonstrate our trust in God.