Giving is an indication of spiritual maturity.
Giving is an indication of spiritual maturity. That is the conclusion
drawn by Barnabas Foundation researcher, Dr. Rodger Rice, as he merged
and studied the results of over 4,000 responses to surveys of 25
individual churches. The survey measured the spiritual health and
maturity of respondents, based upon the evaluation of a variety of
factors such as participation in Sunday worship service, private prayer
and devotions, volunteer service, etc.
Dr. Rice’s research showed
that the most spiritually healthy people had given an average of 13% of
their incomes to all charitable causes in the previous year, while the
least spiritually healthy people had contributed an average of 2%. A
finding of particular interest is that those whose lifestyles reflect
spiritual disciplines are more generous, regardless of age.
What does that mean for us as a church body, or more personally, for us as individual members of the body of Christ?
January
is often a time for us to reflect on the past year and make new
resolutions. As you reflect, consider your spiritual disciplines and how
you have matured spiritually through them. Can you find a connection
between your spiritual maturity and your level of giving?