Contributed by Adeline Ting • Jan 27, 2026
This sermon on Christian smart investing essentially revolves around giving. Giving that is done generously, willingly, cheerfully and faithfully. The sermon reminds me of my own personal journey in giving.
As a child, I grew up with very humble beginnings. We typically have to save, be extremely prudent with our spending, and very often have to forego many things for the sake of getting by on rainy days. As a result, every cent counts, and I learnt to peg ROIs to every dollar and cents ‘invested’. Books bought were shared, clothes were bought 1-2 sizes bigger to stretch their lifespan, the single pair of shoes were never changed unless the soles were falling off, and I used the same gifted mechanical pencil for over 6 years!
When I joined the Christian Fellowship (CF) in my university, I began to see and experience things differently. My first CG leader gave me a paperback Bible as a blessing. I received tiny booklets of ODB (Our Daily Bread) from my Christian seniors to guide my daily readings. They will give me lifts on their motorbikes whenever they have gatherings out-campus. And I enjoyed the free bus service every Sunday evening with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to attend worship in a church. Gradually, as the offering bag made its round during our weekly CF sessions, I found myself reaching into my pocket and offering whatever I have. The love, grace and blessing from other givers, had me finally warming up to the idea and act of giving.
And so, over the years, I became a giver myself. I gave what I could, cheerfully and faithfully. And in return, I experienced God’s blessings manifold. God opened doors for me to fund my way through my studies via scholarships. He blessed me and my siblings with good jobs that allowed us to provide for our family when dad stopped working prematurely to take care of mum. God’s providence shone through as we weathered storms. In the midst of the Covid era, dad had a minor stroke, but everyone was able to see through his medical needs and physiotherapy sessions. God is good.
Today, I still look at my dollars and cents carefully, but from different lenses. I am still prudent with my spending (force of habit ingrained in my DNA!). In my workplace, I still have ROIs tagged to the money invested in projects. But when it comes to God’s plan and His people, I find myself giving without calculating the ROI. Why bother with ROI when I can never outgive God? All I have is from Him, entrusted to Christian smart investing. And so, among the many things, I find myself looking forward to AGW every year. I use this opportunity to offer to ministries that I could not go to.
Have I come full circle in my personal journey in giving? Only God knows. But while I am still able to, I will remain a cheerful giver. And I hope you will too.
