Faith Promise
Faith figured prominently in Smith's life so his approach to financial giving was called "The Faith Promise Offering." He felt that most Christians would respond to a promise between themselves and God. They would be asked to make it in complete dependency that God would undertake. He was known for saying, "Cash isn't needed. In dependence upon God, I will endeavour to give. No one will ask you for it - it's between you and God." Then he would call to sing "Step Out in Faith" as the money envelopes poured in with financial gifts. Sacrificial giving was encouraged as well as early habits of giving something regularly, no matter how small. Second or third gifts were called envelopes of repentance. Smith was also known for saying, "I know people who have two pairs of shoes!" People often "gave up" something to give to world missions.
Read more about this topic: Oswald J. Smith
Famous quotes containing the words faith and/or promise:
“Of the best rulers The people only know that they exist; The next best they love and praise The next they fear; And the next they revile. When they do not command the people’s faith, Some will lose faith in them, And then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, The people all remark, “We have done it ourselves.””
—Lao-Tzu (6th century B.C.)
“Smiling half-reluctance seems to promise more than the frankest gesture of desire.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)