Gospel Giving

From LifeDate - Fall 2005.

Gospel Giving
by Karen Frohwein, Director of Development, Lutherans For Life

Just as God has a lot to say about life, God also has a lot to say about giving. As LFL’s Director of Development, God’s Word guides my work as I approach the subject of asking for gifts, just as God’s Word should guide the giver’s response. There is definitely a law and gospel approach to be considered. In the Old Testament, gifts were given in order to fulfill the law. Today, many people continue to give out of obligation and many fund-raisers will also impress upon donors the obligation of giving. But, as Christians, we live in grace and our asking and giving should reflect that! When you receive an appeal from Lutherans For Life, do you see the gospel reflected in the message? That is certainly our intent. Of course, we want you to prayerfully consider giving a gift to LFL, but regardless of your response, we hope the Holy Spirit leads you to receive God’s message of life through the message in each appeal letter—that’s gospel asking.

The apostle Paul had a lot to say about giving. “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV). God loves a cheerful giver! Are you giving reluctantly or under compulsion? Or are you a gospel giver? Do you give because of what you have already been given? Do you believe in God’s abundance and give as an act of worship and an opportunity to see God’s grace in action? Paul continues “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (v.8). When you give to Lutherans For Life, you are showing your confidence in God’s promise of grace and abundance. In all things at all times, God is providing for you and for Lutherans For Life so that we can spread His message of grace to others by witnessing to the sanctity of human life through education based on the Word of God.

God no longer requires us to ask for or give gifts under compulsion—that’s law giving! What the law required has been given at the cross in the blood of Christ. Lutherans For Life does depend on your gifts—and the need is great as we continue to reach out to people who want to know about life issues and what the Creator has to say about them. Individual gifts, annual and sponsor memberships, planned and estate gifts, grants, and other sources of funding all contribute to meeting a budget that grows each year. It’s a daunting task to think about meeting this need. But, it’s a gospel task! God has given us what we need and He will continue to do so. We can approach asking and giving with confidence in God’s abundance and with thanksgiving for the greatest gift of all—the gift of new life through the death and resurrection of Christ.