Consistently

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NLT)

When God leads you to participate in a ministry, whether a church, a missionary, or a God-centered mission like feeding the hungry or housing the homeless, one of the ways you can be a consistent blessing is to be a consistent giver.  This helps the people in this part of God's mission be able to pay for certain consistent bills, like rent/mortgage, gas and electric, or water.  Sometimes that regular donation goes to something as simple and necessary as food.

I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich. Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have. Of course, I don't mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As the Scriptures say, "Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough." (2 Corinthians 8:8-15 NLT)

Take the time to pray, talking to God about everything entrusted into your care.  Ask God for direction in giving.  Sometimes the money is best managed by God in your hands.  Sometimes it is best managed by another part of Christ's Body.  You should not see any ministry getting rich while you are getting poor.  We should all be drawing closer to the "average," in our area so God's work continues and God is glorified in it all.

Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God's people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don't wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NLT)

Consistent giving simply makes it a part of your budget each week or month.  It allows you to see God at work in your giving regularly.  It becomes a part of your walk together with God.

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)

How about you?  Do you see giving as a part of your ministry?  Does God provide everything you need and ways to help meed the needs of others?  Does your giving help you and the ministries you serve, draw closer to the "average" for your area?  Has your giving become consistent?