Giving
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- Matthew 6:21
Why Give?
GOD OWNS EVERYTHING
At CityRise, we are a people marked by God's grace, committed to lifting our city and the world by generously giving the gospel of Jesus Christ. God accomplishes His purposes through ordinary people like us—committed and giving freely and sacrificially of our time, talents and treasures—without expecting anything in return.
As disciples, we recognize God as the owner of all things. We are His stewards--His managers. We don't own anything, but we are temporarily responsible for all that is entrusted to us. One day, we will give an account for how we have managed what He has given us, as He is the first and most generous giver.
GIVING IS OUR ACT OF WORSHIP
Giving is a spiritual sacrifice and expression of gratitude reflecting our belief that everything we have comes from God. When we give, we affirm our belief in God's goodness and generosity and exhibit our dependence on Him. God does not ask us to give because He needs our resources—in fact, when we give, we are "giving back" to God what is already His. If we shift our mindset away from what we give up, to instead focus on what we have gained in Christ, we are moved to worship and inspired to imitate Him, the first and most generous giver.
GENEROSITY IS A LIFESTYLE IN WHICH WE DEMONSTRATE GOD'S LOVE.
At its core, generosity is a lifestyle—a lifestyle in which we hold, with open hands, all that God has given us. We sacrificially bless others as a demonstration of God's love and as a response to God as the first and most generous giver.