Seven Truths about Christian Giving

Earlier this week, I wrote about three fallacies of giving. Today I want to write about seven truths about Christian giving. I think of this as a theology of giving. It certainly does not encompass everything about giving, but it does give us some basics.

Here are seven truths about our generosity and giving.

First, Christian giving is first and foremost a matter of the heart. Just as Scripture tells us that “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he,” the Bible clearly pictures giving and generosity as matters of the heart. Get the heart right and you get your giving right.

Second, God loves cheerful givers. Paul made this clear. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Not being happy about giving is not a reason to not give. It’s up to us to make our hearts cheerful.

Third, God has provided all we need to do ministry. We have money enough. We simply need to give it and use it wisely.

Fourth, (this may be more philosophy than theology) Churches should give as God has prospered us. We should not be seeking money from outsiders or nonbelievers. If God has provided all we need, we have no need to ask unbelievers to help our ministry.

Fifth, a tithe–10% of our income–should be a minimum gift for us. God told the people of Malachi’s day to bring the “whole tithe into the storehouse” (Malachi 3:10).

Sixth, from an early age children should be taught responsibility with money. Whether we like it or not, we live in a world of money. We must teach our children how to earn it, save it, invest it, use it, and give it. I love what John Wesley said, “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

Seventh, how you use your money shows the condition of your heart. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Christian giving is simply part of a life dedicated to please and honor God.

How is your heart?

 

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