Before the Christmas holiday, the children and I went out to finish our shopping. We hit a Christian book store to pick up a study Bible for someone and on the way out a homeless man stopped the kids and I to ask if we could spare any money. We had given our “church-budgeted” money a day earlier so I had no cash on me. I apologized and continued on to my car. It seemed like a non-event at the time, but then it kept replaying. I kept thinking about the, “if you did it unto the least of these, you did it unto ME,” verse. My arguments sounded good in my head,” At least I didn’t tell him I would pray for him as I walked away……But I had given our “abundance” to the church already, isn’t that where it should always go? They know of needs I don’t, they have connections to get Bibles to Africa at a discounted rate! Aren’t we just to give to God through the church?” The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. The guy had probably shook his head and made some comment about “those Christians.” I felt convicted that I had chosen to represent God so poorly.
In the future, I think I would offer to buy the man a meal and bring it back to him. (It goes without saying that women should not take strangers in cars or into unpopulated areas.) I asked for forgiveness from God, since I was clearly getting a message to help this man by the time I got to my car but I chose “not to get involved.” I also brought it up to my children and we discussed how we might have shown God’s love in a safe way. My son thought of carrying gift certificates for a fast food chain or some cans of soup in the car to give. Every homeless person I encounter does not cause the voice in my heart to convict me, but there have been times when I’ve been moved, but haven’t had the means because we do not carry cash or we had already given what we had set aside for the church. I discussed this with a friend and she listed all the reasons why not to give to anyone but the church. (What if the man had a drug habit and was getting money to support it? Etc..) Our discussion prompted me to look further into the matter. Scripture certainly is not silent on the aspect of giving. While Christians are not expected to tithe, we are commanded to give generously!
Why Give?
Giving back to God what was His to begin with, serves one purpose. Giving is done for God’s glory (not ours) as we display our thankfulness to Him. He gave it and we are to give it back to glorify Him. We have nothing worthy to give God that He hasn’t provided for us. It’s all about His glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 8:19, and 9:11-13)
How to Give?
1Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
This verse is being written by Paul to the church in Corinth. Saints refers to fellow Christians. He is encouraging them to take care of other Christians. “On the first day of every week,” implies gifts should be put aside regularly and deliberately, not as a whatever-is-left-at-the-end-of-the-week-is-God’s, method. Paul also is making a point that NO collection should be made while he is there with them. Why would he do this? He did not want them to listen to his stories and sway them emotionally. Giving should be planned, prayed over, and intentional.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
“As he has purposed in his heart,” signifies that there was forethought before the act of giving. Giving should never be out of duty, because of manipulation, or emotional heart-string tugging. The need is known, prayed about, and planned ahead of time within your means.
2 Corinthians 8:11-12 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
“Out of what you have…… not according to what he does not have,” if you have been blessed abundantly you are expected to use it wisely and be generous. If you are in debt and living frugally, give of time or services……NOT of money that you don’t have!
I’ve always been under the impression that the story of the widow that gives her last two coins is a benchmark for us to give first and pay off debt later. (Mark 12:41-44) According to the law of the day, the widows and orphans were to be cared for by the church. If this is the case, she was not going into debt, she was trusting that God would continue to meet her needs and gave back to God that someone else may benefit, as she had. This is showcasing her faith and willing heart. The same could be said for Jesus telling the man to count the cost and give up everything and follow Him . (Mark 10:21-27) Did he have a willingness to leave his security and comfort zone? Jesus is questioning his faith not his financial standing. Jesus wants him to be WILLING to give it all, it’s an attitude thing that is tied to the realization that it isn’t ours to begin with. God is VERY interested in our attitude while giving.
Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
God warns of giving for social approval. God even killed a couple that sold land and gave a portion of it to the church, but lied and said they had given the whole amount. Ananias and Sapphira were seeking to look righteous to others and they lied to do it. (Acts 5:1-11) Good outcome does not justify reproachful means and origins.
2 Corinthians 8:20-21 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Remember that everything we do in the name of God, will represent Him to the unsaved. Search out motives and be sure they bring glory and not reproach to the name of God. We need to check our attitudes. Churches need to reject questionable funds. We all need to represent the One Who Redeemed Us, well.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
This is a verse thrown around quite often. “You can’t out give God, if you give, He will bless you with untold riches!” If you read the verses preceding and following this verse, you will find that it is talking about how we treat others. Read in context, there is NO WAY that it could be speaking about monetary gains.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
This verse is written by Paul to the church in Corinth. They had volunteered a specific and sizable gift to another church that was being persecuted. Paul was letting them know he was ready to gather their generous gift to distribute to the other church. The reference to sowing is common language since many of the day were farmers. When a farmer sows grain, he takes a handful of seeds and aims it at the soil he hopes to farm. He does not expect to get the seeds back as seeds. He knows that not all of the seeds will grow. He knows that God will have to provide the sun and rain. He has no control over the bug population that wants to eat his produce. He may get a good crop back and he may not. But he won’t be getting those exact seeds back and he doesn’t expect to. Likewise, when we give back to God, we do not get it back “ten fold in cash”. We are blessed, for sure, but through spiritual gains, not gains of man.
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
“Increase the harvest of your righteousness.” Merriam Webster defines Righteousness as, acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin. Spiritual gains have to do with contentment, inner peace, and deeper knowing of God! It has nothing to do with man’s measure of wealth. “Increasing seed for sowing” refers to opportunities to glorify God by giving back to God.
To Whom do we Give?
1Timothy 5:17-18 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Those who “rule well” are to be considered. Give to pastors and leaders that are making a difference vs. pastors and leaders that are entertaining but empty. This is a method to support those who are working within God’s will and discourage those ministries/projects that are frivolous.
Philippians 4:15-19 vs.16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs….vs.18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Missions and missionaries should be considered. This church was supporting Paul completely.
James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Widows and orphans should be considered. (1Timothy 5: 3-16 clarifies true widows, in a culture of divorce and remarriage.)
Luke 10:30-37 lays out the story of the good Samaritan. This passage encourages us to consider our enemies as a target for God’s love.
Matthew 25:35 `For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
This gives several categories to consider, but also note that the giving is not only in money. Our time, companionship, meals, and drink are gifts too. This is such a blessing for those who are barely making ends meet or a good starting point to teach children who may not have their own money yet. Give of your time! Teach a class, visit the elderly, rake a yard, watch a child, pass on baby clothes, or take meals to the sick.
Giving is no longer a legalistic mandate with a specific amount. The funds should help to support your local assembly if they are serving well, but that does not preclude giving to other ministries/those in need as God lays it upon your heart. Everything that we have has been given to us by God! That means we should be giving of our finances, our time, our children, our homes, our healthy bodies, our skills, and our resources. We need to find the areas where we have been blessed and give from them! We should review our circumstances periodically to ensure we are giving from all areas that we’re able. Lack of funds does not mean we cannot show our thankfulness back to God. God cares GREATLY about the attitude in which we give, just as much, if not more than what we give. There may be times when God requests us to step out in faith and give beyond what we feel comfortable. That is a prompting which we must be sensitive to coming from the Holy Spirit, not from a leader trying to start a gymnasium fund!
(Side note of warning from experience~Wives, be subject to your husbands. They have the final say and you should honor the head God has placed over you. Giving of things your husband disagrees with is sin, seek his council before over committing your family time! But I digress, LOL.)
