Spiritual worship includes finances

The Apostle Paul, in writing to the church in Rome, appeals to Jesus’ followers to offer themselves to God through sacrificial actions. Paul goes on to provide a list of spiritual practices in how to do this, including giving and generosity (see Romans 12:8).

Good $ense Ministries has been a partner of Everence for three years and has developed creative ways for churches to help members improve their personal money management, as well as enhance their acts of giving. In a recent podcast, they outlined three helpful definitions related to this act of spiritual worship.

Giving is an action.

It means giving something up, in order to serve others. This often includes finances but extends to the gifts of time, service, friendship, etc.

Generosity is a mindset.

It places God’s purposes and the needs of others ahead of our own. A mindset of generosity prompts us to respond to needs beyond our own, which is often countercultural. Generosity is a characteristic of the faithful disciple.

Stewardship is a lifestyle. 

It’s a recognition that we are all mangers of what God, as the owner of all we have, has placed in our lives to share (see Psalms 24:1-2). Stewardship is broader than generosity; it includes all that we do with money and other resources.

If you are looking for ways to incorporate this spiritual practice of giving deeper into the life of your faith community, contact your congregational Everence Stewardship Consultant and ask about the “FreedUp Financially” program. This is a faith-based, wholistic personal money management training, which guides participants from stability to clarity and, finally, to a place of legacy.

If you don’t know who your Everence Stewardship Consultant is, contact Beryl Jantzi Everence director of stewardship education for more information: beryl.jantzi@everence.com.