Giving
Discipleship Lesson 8
Matthew 6:19-21: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Biblical Mindset about Finances
There are a few life-rules a Christian should follow regarding money:
1) Don’t be covetous
The Bible harshly condemns greed and covetousness (Proverbs 23:4-5; I Timothy 6:6-10). “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof” (Proverbs 1:19). It is not possible for us to serve the true and living God if we serve the false and dead god of mammon (Matthew 6:24). We should not rejoice in how much money we can save (Job 31:24-25), but in how much we can give (I Chronicles 29:9). A church should not emphasize the subject of money—obsession with money is a mark of a false prophet (II Peter 2:3, 15; Titus 1:10-11; John 12:6), because false prophets live for financial profit (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 3:19). Churches are not markets (John 2:14-16), and the things of God ought to be freely given (Matthew 10:8).
Micah 3:11: The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
2) Be a hard worker
To be a consistent and faithful giver, we must work hard at our job, both to supply our own need (I Thessalonians 4:11-12) and to give to others (Ephesians 4:28). There are many Bible passages that praise the diligent worker (e.g., Proverbs 6:6-8; 22:29), and condemn the slothful (lazy) man (Proverbs 23:30-34; see also Proverbs 12:24; 13:4; 21:25; 22:13).
Acts 20:35: I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
II Thessalonians 3:10-12: For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
3) God blesses those who give
Whenever you give of your own substance to a godly cause, know that God will bless you for it, both in this life and in heaven (Proverbs 19:17; Romans 15:25-28). The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-12) illustrates the benefits of living a generous life, where we use our money to help others, and, when needed later, we are ourselves helped (see also II Corinthians 8:13-14; Proverbs 11:24-25; 13:7). However, we should always give without expecting to receive anything back: “for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again” (Luke 6:34ff).
Luke 6:28: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
II Corinthians 9:6: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
The Types of Financial Giving
Giving of TITHES. A “tithe” is the giving of a tenth (1/10th) of something. The principle of the tithe at the latest began with Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20; cf. Hebrews 7:1-10), was of use and sanctioned in the Old Testament legal system (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), and is still relevant to New Testament Christians today (see I Corinthians 9:11-14; cf. I Timothy 5:18 and Luke 10:7).
Genesis 28:20-22: And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
A tithe of all that we earn (our “increase”) belongs to God (see Leviticus 27:30, 32), and, therefore, God expects us to give to him the first tenth of our income (the “firstfruits,” Exodus 23:19; 34:26). The Bible commands us, “thou shalt truly tithe” (Deuteronomy 14:22). Tithes should be given to the “house of God,” which today is one’s local, Biblical church (I Timothy 3:15). God promises to bless those who give a tithe (see Proverbs 3:9-10), and to curse those who don’t:
Malachi 3:8-10: Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Giving of ALMS. “Alms” are goods given to those who are poor (money, food, etc.). A poor person is someone who is financially lacking and incapable, not a lazy derelict. We should “consider the cause of the poor” (Proverbs 29:7). The Bible often praises the virtue of giving to the poor (e.g., Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Psalm 41:1; James 2:15-16; I John 3:17-18). God even made many Old Testament laws specifically to relieve and defend those in poverty (e.g., Deuteronomy 24:14-15, 19-22). When we give alms, though, we must always be as discreet and secret about it as possible (Matthew 6:1-4)—“let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.”
Psalm 112:9: He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Proverbs 22:9: He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Giving of OFFERINGS. An offering is a giving to any cause which is not a tithe, usually spiritual things, like giving to the work of a missionary, or an amount given to your local church above your tithe. Offerings, unlike tithes, are completely voluntary (see II Corinthians 9:7). Jesus’ ministry was supported by offerings (Luke 8:3), as was often the work of the apostle Paul (I Corinthians 16:17-18; Philippians 2:25-30; 4:10-18). When we give to real, effective ministries, we are enabling and supporting the furtherance of the kingdom of God.
Principles on Financial Giving
- Give cheerfully; “…God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).
We should always financially give with a happy heart, rejoicing in the effect our giving will have on others for eternity. When the tabernacle was being built, the people were so glad to give to the work that it was stated, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work,” “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much” (Exodus 36:5, 7; see also the example of Zacceaus, Luke 19:8ff).
- Give freely; “not grudgingly, or of necessity” (II Corinthians 9:7).
You should give with a willing heart, not as if under compulsion or force. While tithing is a commandment, it should not be grievous or seem burdensome to you (I John 5:3), nor should any other giving you do.
- Give humbly; “do not sound a trumpet before thee” (Matthew 6:2).
You should always give in a humble way, not trying to be seen of men.
I Chronicles 29:14: But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
- Give sacrificially. “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:44).
Sometimes, God desires that we give sacrificially to a particular cause, as we are able (Deuteronomy 16:17). Paul talked of the churches of Macedonia, “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (II Corinthians 8:2ff).