Giving to God With Steadfast Faith
Giving to God with steadfast faith is rooted in the biblical concept of trust and perseverance in one's relationship with God. The Psalmist exhorts believers to "offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving" and to "pay your vows to the Most High" [1]. This call to faithful giving is tied to the idea of steadfastness, a characteristic that is both commanded and enabled by God.
Steadfastness is exhibited by God Himself in all His purposes and ways, as seen in passages like Numbers 23:19 and James 1:17 [2]. Believers are commanded to be steadfast in their faith, continuing in the Apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42) and holding fast to their profession of faith without wavering [9]. This steadfastness is secured through the power of God, the presence of God, and trust in God [2].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, emphasizes the role of faith in giving to God. Calvin notes that believers have "no stronger testimony to assure them of their adoption" than the confidence that comes from faith [5]. This confidence is rooted in the understanding that God regenerates the elect by incorruptible seed, ensuring their perseverance.
Augustine, in his anti-Pelagian writings, highlights the gift of perseverance as a key aspect of steadfast faith. one tradition argues that perseverance is given by God and is essential for believers to continue in their faith until the end [6]. This gift is obtained through prayer, and Augustine exhorts believers to pray for perseverance, citing Philippians 1:6, where Paul expresses confidence that God will complete the good work He has begun in believers [7].
The practice of giving to God with steadfast faith is characterized by thanksgiving, trust, and perseverance. Believers are encouraged to continue in prayer, watching with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2) [3], and to offer the sacrifices of righteousness, putting their trust in Yahweh [4]. As John Gill notes, believers are bound to thank God always, particularly for the spiritual blessings they receive, such as faith and love [8].
Sources
- Psalms “Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High. -- Psalms 50:14”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
- Colossians “Colossians 4:2 (LITV) — Steadfastly continue in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,”
- Psalms “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh. -- Psalms 4:5”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: believers have no stronger testimony to assure them of their adoption, I answer, that though there is a great resemblance and affinity between the elect of God and those who are impressed for a time with a fading faith, yet the elect alone have that full assurance which is extolled by Paul, and by which they are enabled to cry, Abba, Father. Therefore, as God regenerates the elect only for ever by incorruptible seed, as the seed of life once sown in their hearts never perishes, so he effectually seals in them the grace of his adopt”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 15.--PERSEVERANCE IS GIVEN TO THE END.: Rightly follows the word to the kingdom of the elect: "If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how has He not also with Him given us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? God who justifieth? Who condemneth? Christ who died? yea, rather who rose again also, who is at the right hand of God, who also soliciteth on our behalf?"[8] And of how stedfast a perseverance even to the end they have received the gift, let them fo”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 10--ALL PERSEVERANCE IS GOD'S GIFT. (part 2): who forsakes good, and, not persevering in good, turns to the evil, from which he ought to turn aside.[7] In that place, moreover, where he says, "I thank my God in every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making quest with joy for your fellowship[8] in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,"[9]--what else does he promise to them from the mercy of God”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 1:3: We are bound to thank God,.... Since all blessings, temporal and spiritual, come from him: and that always: seeing he is ever giving out fresh favours, or continuing former ones; and because those, especially which are of a spiritual nature, always abide, such as faith and love; which the apostle particularly takes notice of, the members of this Church had, and were increasing in them: for it was not for himself, but for them he gives thanks, for you, brethren: who were so, not in a natural or civil relation, but in a spiritual one, being the children of God”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:21: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering,.... Either in the grace or doctrine of faith, or in the profession of both; See Gill on Heb 4:14. For he is faithful that promised; that is God; and it is true of Father, Son, and Spirit; but God the Father may be more especially designed: he is a promising God, and is known to be so by his people; he is eminently and emphatically the Promiser; and all other promisers, and the promises made by them, signify little; but the promises of God are exceeding great and precious, very ancient, free, and uncond”