Everywhere we look, there are adverts! TV, Netflix, Prime, newspapers, magazines, websites, billboards and social media influencers - every one of them telling us how to spend our money! Encouraging us to prioritise spending on their brand, service or product. Here in Cheltenham, as in the rest of the UK, we live in a culture which often encourages us to get more money, keep hold of it, and live for ourselves. Yet Jesus flips that script completely. He regularly addresses money in his teaching, showing us a better way — a life marked by generosity, where giving isn’t loss but gain. Later in the New Testament, Paul’s letters to the Corinthians challenge us to live differently, to live generously and in so doing serve others.

So what should our giving look like? In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul gives some timeless principles for Christian giving. From these passages, we can draw five key words that describe what healthy, God-honouring generosity looks like: Priority, Planned, Personal, Proportionate, and Plentiful.

1. Giving is to be a Priority — (1 Corinthians 16:1–2)

The Corinthians are instructed to set aside money to give "on the first day of every week". Notice the timing, before they spend anything else, they gave. It wasn't an afterthought, not whatever was left over - rather it was first priority! Putting God first in our giving is a practical way of declaring that He comes before everything else. It’s saying, “My security isn’t in my salary, my savings, or my situation — it’s in God.” When we prioritise giving, it sets the tone for how we handle all our resources.

The truth is, something will always come first in our finances — the mortgage, the bills, the weekend plans. Giving invites us to reorder those priorities in line with God’s kingdom. It’s not about guilt, but gratitude. We give not because we have to, but because we get to — because God gave His best for us first.

2. Giving is to be Planned — (1 Corinthians 16:1–2)

Paul encouraged the Corinthian believers to “set aside a sum of money in keeping with their income, saving it up” (1 Cor 16:2). He doesn't resort to an emotional appeal nor stirs up guilt rather he encourages planned giving. Their giving wasn’t to be impulsive or haphazard, but thoughtful and planned.

When we plan our giving we are making a deliberate choice to put God first in our finances and it becomes part of our worship . Setting up a standing order or a recurring gift helps us stay consistent, even when life gets busy. Planned giving says, “God, I’m recognising that everything I have comes from you and I'm putting you first in my finances"

3. Giving is to be Personal — (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:5)

The first letter to the Corinthians says that “…each one of you should set aside a sum” (1 Cor 16:2). Each person has a responsibility to participate in giving regardless of their wealth, status or situation. Our giving is a personal response to God who gave himself for us. It’s not about pressure or comparison rather it is something that we need to work out before God.

God’s grace toward us is a powerful motivation for giving — it is what Jesus appealed to in the parable of the Good Samaritan — and generous giving is a tangible expression of our love for God.

4. Giving is to be Proportionate — (2 Corinthians 8:11–12)

Paul writes that giving should be “according to your means” (2 Cor 8:11). God doesn’t ask for equal amounts, but equal sacrifice. This makes giving highly participatory as everyone can be involved children can give a percentage of their pocket money, just as much as the CEO their salary! Paul teaches the importance of having a heart ready and willing to give. He does not want us to give grudgingly or out of obligation, but rather proportionately, willingly and joyfully! When we do, God multiplies every gift to meet the needs of His church and extend His kingdom.

5. Giving is to be Plentiful — (2 Corinthians 8:7; 9:6–8)

Paul urges the church to “excel in the grace of giving” (2 Cor 8:7) and to be abundantly generous because we serve an abundantly generous God. “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor 9:6). Our giving is to reflect this, plentiful giving is not about amount — it’s about attitude. It flows from gratitude, not guilt. It says, “Everything I have belongs to God, and I’m free to give it away for His glory.”

When the church gives plentifully, needs are met, communities are blessed, and lives are changed. That’s the kind of generosity that makes Jesus visible in Cheltenham.

Ways to Give at Mosaic Church Cheltenham

If you’d like to give towards the mission and ministry of Mosaic, there are several simple ways to do so:

Online giving: mosaiccheltenham.org/give
Standing order: Our bank account details are:
- Oxfordshire Community Churches West
- Account: 03607623
- Sort Code: 20-97-48
Sunday giving: We make time on Sundays to receive an offering as part of our worship.
Gift Aid: Whichever way you choose to give, if you are a UK taxpayer, please complete a Gift Aid form. This is a simple way to increase the value of your gift at no extra cost to you. It allows us to claim back £1 in every £4 or 25%, on your gift!

Every gift — large or small — helps us continue to build vibrant communities bringing life across Cheltenham and beyond.

Thank you for partnering with us in generosity.

Why Giving Matters at Mosaic Church Cheltenham