Fear to Faith
Jesus casts out the fear of death, the shame of sin and the despair of failure by his own death and resurrection. Through the generous gift of Jesus' life, forgiveness and salvation, God shows us his loving heart. Why should we fear when the creator of the earth cares for us so deeply?

Scarcity to Abundance
God gives people their daily bread. Even when circumstances seem to indicate a paucity of resources, God provides enough and more. [Because] God gave water, bread and meat [as Moses led people] through the desert, and Jesus distributed food for the thousands, [so] God will give us that which we need now. We can have faith in God's faithfulness.

Ownership to Stewardship
All that we have comes from God and is not ours to exploit. God entrusts us with resources as stewards to manage time, talents and treasures to further God's purposes on the earth.

Membership to Discipleship
Earthly allegiances do not matter. Only discipleship of Jesus endures. Therefore, financial contributions are a result of one's identity in Christ and not solely one's ties to an institution. The language will change from a congregation begging its members to the disciples' need to give in accordance with their faith in God.

Maintenance to Ministry
What life comes from bricks and mortar? What energy comes from wood and glass? The Spirit does not dwell in architecture but in God's people.

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people," (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Isolation to Community Connection
The Kingdom of God extends to all corners of the world, and when each member of Christ's body builds up the other, the whole church thrives. "From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work," (Ephesians 4:16).

Paying the Bills to Engaging in God's Mission
Congregational giving is not about purchasing religious services and keeping the organization afloat. Disciples know that they have an active, ministerial role within God's mission, both in the congregation and in the community. "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9).

Privacy to Openness
Jesus spoke openly to the rich young man about his dependence on money. He told parables about the proper use of money. He chastised the Pharisees for flaunting their money. Jesus talked about money and so should we. Silence only allows the malicious money scripts who stifle faith and generosity to continue their racketeering.

Shame to Healing
People need to reveal their financial sins and money mistakes to the light of Christ to receive forgiveness and healing.

When people begin to acknowledge their own attitudes and how their history has shaped their current behavior, they can begin to allow Christ to bring new wholeness to their financial outlook. This frees them to begin stewarding God's resources rather than hoarding or wasting them.

Crisis Handling to Intentional Planning
Staving off crises one right after another only fuels fear and the myth of scarcity. People feel the drain of wondering when they will run out of money again. A congregation should make a mission strategy based on the intentional contribution plan of each disciple within that community. As Paul observes, "Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver," (2 Corinthians 9:4).

Duty to Joy
By the transforming grace God has given to God's children, God has made it possible for people to have fun building up the saints and all those in need. Stewardship is not drudgery. It is a happy privilege. God's providence enabled the Macedonians to give cheerfully even in a situation of suffering.

"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints," (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).

Last Minute to First Priority
In everything, including money, "Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well," (Matthew 6:33). What are "these things?" They are all the necessities of daily life. God frees us to be generous because God will take care of us. We have no need to stockpile. God gives us the liberty to enjoy giving from the beginning.

Stagnation to Growth
Just as God's Spirit engaging in God's mission does not stop moving and growing, neither can a disciple's response to God's mission.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers," (Galatians 6:9-10).

Just Enough to Ridiculous Generosity
God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," (Ephesians 3:20). Trusting in God's surprising abundance, we can move from contributing just enough to get by to giving seemingly ridiculous amounts of resources. Imagine what amazing things God will do when we hand over more and more of the resources God entrusted to us into the hands of the Holy Spirit in mission.

Grudging to Thanksgiving
The Holy Spirit will open the eyes of God's children so that they may see the blessings surrounding them. On their lips and in their hearts will be the songs of thanksgiving to God and their neighbors. "Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind," (Psalm 107:8).

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