Money is ministry

this occured to me today, and I think it's really important. A lot of people encourage giving just because "God loves a cheerful giver" or "you will be blessed if you give" or "it is Biblical to tithe". All of these things are true, but they aren't the heart of the matter. Why is money referred to as seed in the Kingdom of God? Why is giving referred to as sowing? (2 Cor 9:6-15)

Instead of trying to understand giving in the context of sowing, let's look at sowing in the context of the Bible. Both Jesus and Paul use sowing seed as an analogy for spreading the Kingdom (eg Mark 4). The seed is sown into OTHER peoples' lives and bears fruit, through which we are blessed.

2 Cor. 8-9 describes the monetary gifts churches were sending as services. We often think of money as what is needed to fuel ministry. What we often forget is that providing the money for ministry and for those in need is a ministry in itself. Even if you can't sing, even if you can't lead or speak or evangelise many or train others, you can give. The giving is a service to God in itself, as worthy to God as those who play the instruments or give the messages.

So when you look at your tithe, do not look at it as something we must give, but as something you're giving to serve and have a part in. Sure it pays for other ministries, but simply by giving you are enabling people to reach their potential. That's real ministry, as real as any evangelist or other leader, and it's something we can all have a part in.