The most important decision you or your family will make regarding the Imagine Initiative will be the decision about your own giving commitment.  Please consider the following suggestions as you decide what your commitment will be. As you are praying about your commitment, keep in mind the principle, “Equal sacrifice, not equal gifts.”  Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in dollars.  However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.

Remember, your commitment can include both a cash gift and a 24-month giving commitment.  Most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a two-year period.  You will help our church most by making both gifts. Each of us has a choice to make:

I CAN GIVE BASED ON REASON
This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount.  It takes little or no faith to give by reason.  Reason simply asks, “What can I afford?”

I CAN GIVE BASED ON READJUSTMENT
This means I make some adjustments to my lifestyle.  Perhaps I can work overtime, put off a major purchase, downsize an upcoming vacation, etc.  Readjustment giving typically requires a level of sacrifice.

I CAN GIVE BASED ON REVELATION
This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?”  This requires both faith and sacrifice.  When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship.  Revelation giving is asking, “How much am I willing to trust God?”  Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave more than they could afford!”  2 Corinthians 8:3

1.   BEGIN BY PRAYING EVERYDAY
"Lord, I want to give sacrificially.  Please show me how to give a gift that will stretch my faith.”  If you’re married, pray together with your spouse.

2.   GIVE YOURSELF TIME!
Don’t rush your decision.  You will find that the longer you genuinely pray “Show me how”, the more ways God will show you and you’ll be able to give more than the first amount that popped into your head.  Allow God to show you how to “grow in the grace of giving.”

3.   PLAN A FAMILY CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS WAYS TO GIVE.
Ask your family members to be thinking of ideas in advance.  Be sure to involve your children, no matter how young they are.  This is a great opportunity to teach giving and faith.  At your family conference, read the following Bible promises and instructions, and make a list of what you learn:

Proverbs 3:9-10
Proverbs 11:24-25
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
2 Corinthians 8:1-12
Matthew 6:19-2