Giving 5-10-09
In the Church today there are few topics that are both more misunderstood and less difficult to understand than is the topic of giving. We spend considerable amounts of time and attention on things that we feel are “weightier,” such as denominationalism, but we often shy away from talking about how much a member should give to the collection plate. There are plenty of groups that practice tithing in one form or another, and we often use such phraseology as “in proportion with how we have been blessed.”
But the Bible is fairly clear on the topic of giving – at least clear from God’s perspective. The children of Israel were given specific amounts to tithe, but the New Testament deals with the topic differently for the Church.
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:34-35 NIV)
Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NIV)
Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NIV)
These three passages I have chosen because they illustrate what should be our central themes in any message concerning the topic of giving: it is supposed to be about the needs of the Church; it is supposed to be deliberate; it is supposed to be strictly voluntary.
Our giving is not based on God’s need, but rather on the needs of the Church; this point should be obvious to us: God has no needs! We cannot give to God in any way that will satisfy a need such as shelter, hunger, or support – God gives those things, he doesn’t need them! The Church does have those needs, however, and so we give based on needs within the Church.
Our giving is not based on a momentary whim but should be deliberative and purposeful in nature, having been carefully thought out. The admonishments given by Peter to Ananias and Sapphira should come to mind here! Our contributions must be planned and accomplished with a purpose in mind other than peer pressure.
Our giving is not based on a desire to look good in front of the other members, but rather should come from a desire to give back out of the bounty given to us. God wants our giving to come from a cheerful heart just like he wants our participation in the Body come from more than a desire to avoid hell! We belong to Christ out of love for him who loved us first, and so we give to him who gave to us first.
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:8-10 NIV)
This passage should underscore that while it is given to the Christian to decide what to give, it is appropriate to point out that the Christian should be giving. After all, God has given us everything and asks for us to give ourselves back to him. Are we setting up our treasure here on Earth or there with him?
-Charles Peterson