Dear friend of the ministry,

Paul dedicated much of his second letter to the Corinthians to defending his character and ministry.  False teachers were teaching a false gospel.  To ensure they had a platform, they attacked Paul.  They attacked his faith, teaching, and handling of the financial gifts given to Paul for the gospel.  Considering all this, Paul continued to keep his focus on ensuring the church was ready to meet Jesus.  Paul is an excellent example of a servant who kept his eyes on the mission set before him.

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul gives the church three truths that apply to you and me when it comes to giving toward the ministry of the Gospel.  These truths can transform the way we look at giving to further the ministry of the Gospel in Canada.

Truth # 1 — Giving Brings Blessings to Others (2 Cor. 9:1-5)

Paul was boasting about the church in Corinth to the church in Macedonia.  The Corinthians had given a bountiful gift to the ministry, and Paul shared this news with others.  The actions of the Corinthians stirred the hearts of the people in Macedonia and Achaia.  Paul says, “For I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred most of them” (v. 4).  When we look at how our giving can stir others to give, there are no limits to the impact these gifts can make for the Gospel.  Did you know that approximately three hundred people fund Precept Ministries Canada?  Our faithful partners support Precept so that the ministry can offer free training and online classes, develop resources to support leaders, continue the translation of our materials and cover the yearly administration costs to serve in Canada.  Our prayer is that we will add one hundred additional faithful partners in 2022 so that we can make an even more significant impact in Canada.  Your giving can bless others throughout our country.

Truth # 2 — Giving Brings Blessing to Ourselves (2 Cor. 9:6-11)

I am sure you have heard, “God loves a cheerful giver.”  This phrase in verse seven is often not correctly applied as Paul is not just talking about those who cheerfully give.  Paul uses the example from the agricultural world when he says, “he who sows sparingly also reaps sparingly” (v. 6). Paul says each should give according to their heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion.  Even as I write this letter, I pray that you seek the Lord’s direction in all your giving, whether to your local church or Precept Ministries Canada.  Part of being a cheerful giver is understanding that God provides everything we have on earth.  In verse eight, the word “all” is repeated.  “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have in abundance for every good deed.”  What Paul is saying here is amazing because he tells us that God lavishly gives grace without holding back.  This grace doesn’t refer to spiritual grace but to financial and material needs.  When we give generously, God replenishes all we need.  “Having all sufficiency” (v. 8) in God is the opposite of being self-sufficient and proud of what we have built up.  Paul summarizes that God provides everything we need to be content in life.  God does love a cheerful giver, but a cheerful heart is no substitute for a heart that is obedient to God.  Our hearts should be faithful and cheerful, giving with the right motive.

Truth #3 — Giving Brings Glory to God  (2 Cor. 9:12-15)

When we live our lives according to God’s Word, we bring Him glory.  These truths are found throughout Scripture.  When we look at this in the context of giving, two things glorify God. The first thing that brings God glory is our obedience to the Gospel.  “Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ” (v. 13).  God’s greatest desire is to see a heart obedient to His Word; it brings Him glory when believers hold fast to the Gospel amid this corrupt world.  The second thing that brings glory to God is also found in verse 13, “the liberality of your contribution to them.”   The gift recipients would thank God for their obedience to the Gospel and the church itself.  Obedience and liberality in giving would be all the proof needed for the enemies of the Gospel to show them that the church’s conversion was more than just words.

Our mission is to engage people in relationship with God through knowing His Word.  When I connect with Precept leaders and students across Canada, each one is unique, and yet there is one thing we all have in common.  We are a dedicated group of people who desire to be students of God’s Word for the purpose of transformation.  As a Precept family, many of us will share testimonies of how the Word of God has changed our lives through Precept Inductive Bible Study.

As a ministry, we desire to see thousands more come to know God and His Word through this study method, but we need you to partner with us in this mission.  Would you prayerfully consider joining the three hundred others who financially support Precept Ministries in Canada?

Two ways you can partner with Precept Ministries Canada: 

      1.  Join our E-Team with monthly financial gifts. Find more info about the E-Team below or click here or call 877–234–2030 to sign up to give a donation of any amount regularly.

     2.  Give a one-time financial gift.  You can give a one-time gift in response to this letter by clicking here or the “Give” button, or you can call the office — we are happy to serve you!

Finally, brothers and sisters in Christ, prayerfully consider partnering with us in ministry.  We believe that God will provide every dollar needed to do ministry in Canada, and we constantly pray that God will provide.  We are praying that God will show you the blessings that God will give others because of your gift, the blessings you will receive and ultimately, the glory that God will receive through your obedience to Him.

Serving Him and you,

Mark Sheldrake, National Director

 

What is the E-Team?

The E-Team is a special group of people who have committed to establishing people in God’s Word through their ongoing partnership.

 

Why join the E-Team?

The greatest benefit of joining the E-Team is the knowledge that you are playing a significant role in eternally changing lives. 

We ask our E-Team members to commit to three things:

1.  To come alongside us as fellow workers and pray regularly for our ministry,
2.  
To be people with whom we can openly share our hearts, our needs, and our prayer requests, and
3.  To support the ministry financially with recurring monthly gifts
 that can be given either by pre-authorized bank withdrawal or through your credit card.

Does this sound like it could be you?

Pray about this ministry opportunity—The amount is between you and God. Whatever God leads you to give as a member of our E-Team, whether $10, $25, $100 or more, your monthly gifts will be greatly appreciated. We would love to welcome you as a member of the E-Team today! 

If you are not ready to commit to a monthly donation, you can always give a one-off donation for any amount.

We praise God for all the ways He continually provides to support His ministry—May God be glorified!

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