When Your Faith Is Increased

“...when your faith is increased... we shall be enlarged by you...

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond...”

2 Corinthians 10.15-16

We enjoy our practice of faith purpose/faith promise missions giving here at Valley Baptist Church.

We focus on the thought of “purpose” because of the wording used in 2 Corinthians 9.7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 

We know that no great, lasting work for God can be done without faith.  We also know that without faith it is impossible to please God.  And we know that what is not “of faith” is sin.  So if there is something that is very important to us as a church, it is that whatever we do in the way of sharing the Gospel, locally or around the world – we plan, and we “purpose”, to do it... BY FAITH!

With that in mind, and as members of this local church, we pray for God to show each of us what we can give “by faith” to missions over the next year.

Keep in mind these biblical principles from 2 Corinthians 8 – 9:  We must give ourselves to the Lord (8:5).  The attitude of our giving must be cheerful (9:7).  Our willingness to give demonstrates our desire to further the work of God (8:3, 8, 12; 9:7).  Our giving demonstrates our debt of gratitude for all that Christ has done for us (8:8-9, 24).  God promises the power to abound in giving just as He promises the power to abound in other Christian graces (8:2-3, 7).  Faith giving allows believers to give “beyond their power” to the cause of world missions (8:2-3, 7).  We are to give out of our need rather than out of our excess.  This is biblical sacrificial giving (8:2).  Everyone can participate in faith purpose/promise giving. God’s plan is all-inclusive (8:7).  Remember the Macedonian believers. 

It is a well-placed faith.  We will soon have testimonies of God’s work in our lives because of our willingness to serve Him in faith promise/faith purpose missions giving and we soon realize that missions giving goes far beyond just money… it is our LIFE as born again, Bible believing members of our local New Testament Baptist churches!