Why Church Membership MattersNäide

Givers and Intercessors

Giving is one of those topics that makes people feel uncomfortable. There are reasons we’re uncomfortable with this topic. One reason is that we all struggle with selfishness. It’s easy to be selfish with our time, energy, and of course, our money. So, the topic of giving is one that we know will probably expose some level of selfishness in us. Another reason is because of skepticism about churches and money. There are high-profile stories of churches wasting money on luxuries, pastors living in mansions, and traveling evangelists with private jets. These abuses have colored the way many people think about money and “organized religion.”

Faith and giving go hand in hand. This is true in both the Old and New Testaments. It’s true in ancient Israel and the modern church. Giving generously indicates spiritual health because it demonstrates faith that God will provide for you. Your future is not in your hands. Why were the Israelites commanded to bring the first of their harvest to God? Did God need it? No, it wasn’t for Him, but for them. They learned to trust Him by giving. Giving was a sign of their faith and a way to grow in faith.

We give because Jesus gave everything for us. We give because Jesus is enough. And we give so that the good news of Jesus might be seen by those who don’t know Him.

Another role each member fills is that of intercessor. One way we care for each other is by praying by name for each other. We intercede on each other’s behalf before the Father. We ask Him to help in times of difficulty. We shield each other from danger with faith-filled prayer.

In the famous passage on the armor of God, Christians are commanded to take up the shield of faith to quench the fiery arrows of the devil. As each Christian takes up their shield, they not only protect themselves, but they also protect those around them. You need others, and others need you, which is why joining a church is one of God’s chief means of preserving His people.

Shortly after the command to take up the shield of faith, we find the command to pray constantly, not just for our own needs, but for other Christians. We are to make “intercession for all the saints.” As a member, you need to intercede regularly for the other members of your church. The church is a family of men and women set apart by God for His purpose—we are saints not because of what we’ve done, but because of what God has done for us.