Dear brothers and
sisters,
If you are one of those
people who might be having doubts or questions about giving, I’d say that is a
good thing too. We all need to ask, think, and understand why we do what we do.
We will briefly look at
each of the listed themes/learning objectives below.
dt-reading 10: Learning objectives
1. # How not to give?
2. # How much to give?
3. # How to give?
4. # Four ways/areas of giving
5. # Where to give?
6. # Why give?
7. # Some Bible passages on giving
How not to
give?
For this lesson let us start with the negatives. So,
how not to give or how shouldn’t we give as disciples of Jesus? Here are four
ways how not to give because such
giving is a waste and has no value in the sight of God as it doesn’t honor or
glorify Him.
1. # Don’t give grudgingly,
or out of compulsion, or with a stingy heart (see. 2 Cor. 9:6, 7)
2. # Don’t give what
cost you noting (see 2 Samuel 24:24). Don’t give your torn notes, or coins, or
anything that you cost you nothing. It doesn’t honor God, and maybe your given
could be dishonoring Him.
3. # Don’t give
unwisely. Do not throw pearls to pigs (Matthew 7:6). Don’t give to false church
and teachers. Don’t give your money/wealth to organizations/people who will use
it for bad purposes (See. 2 Peter 2, 3; 1 Timothy 6:3-10).
4. # Don’t give
before you reconcile (see Matthew 5:23-24). For instance, if you are in a bitter
conflict/bad relationship with your husband/wife/children/friend, it is wise to
first reconcile. This principle applies to your relationship with God as well.
To reconcile, we must change our minds, ask forgiveness or offer forgiveness and
amend the relationship. Reconciliation should precede or come before giving.
How much
to give?
Every
good thing (life, health, forgiveness, family, joy, wealth, etc) is God’s gift
and they come from above (see James 1:17), and in the words of Apostle John, “A
person can receive only what is given them from heaven” (John 3:27). Every good
thing we have belongs to God, all of them (see 1st Chronicles 29:12-14).
And therefore in giving and honoring the Lord (with our wealth), I believe it
is not really 10 %, or 50 % of our income, but rather it is how much we trust God
and His Words. Let me repeat this, giving it is rather how much do or can we
trust and honor God with our life and wealth (also see Luke 21:1-4_ the Widow
offering).
So
the question of how much do we give should be answered by each of us, that is
why Apostle Paul said to the believers, “each
of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give” (2 Cor. 9:7). Thus,
in giving and honoring the Lord with our wealth (weekly, monthly, yearly, or as
and when the Holy Spirit moves him), some people may give 1% or 5%, some may
give 10% or 20 %, and some may still give 50% or 90%, and each of them must give
as they have decided in their heart.
NOTE: I think is good to remember what Scripture tells
us on giving. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
How to
give?
We have learned 4 ways
how not to give and how much should we give. Now let us briefly look at how do
we give and honor the Lord with our wealth/resources. Below are the 7 Biblical principles on giving:
1. # Give
cheerfully/willingly ( 2 Cor. 9:7)
2. # Give generously
and sacrificially (2 Cor. 9:6, Hebrews 13:16, 2 Samuel 24:24)
3. # Give secretly
(Matthew 6:3-4)
4. # Give as the Holy
Spirit lead or prompt you (Romans 12:8; Galatians 5:25)
5. # Give for the
glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)
6. # Give out of love
(1 Cor. 13:3)
7. # Give in the name
of Jesus, giving thanks to God (Colossians 3:17)
note: We know from the Scripture that everything belongs
to God, therefore God does not need anything for us, that is why King David
rightly prayed, “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of everything…
But who am I, and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously
as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from
your hand” (1st Chronicles 29:12-14). So you may ask, then why do
give? The answer is giving exists in principle as an expression of faith in God
and in His words, and giving exists in principle for God’s glory. We shall see later
some of the reasons why we give.
Four ways/areas
to give and honor the Lord with our wealth
1. # Give to honor
and express gratitude to God (thanksgiving) (Proverbs 3:9; 2 Cor. 9:11)
2. # Give to engage
in mission/ministry (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Matthew 10:10; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). There
are at least three ways to engage in ministry and mission: Going, giving,
praying.
3. # Give to
encourage and bless people who serve/lead/help you (Romans 12:13; Matthew
10:10; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).
4. # Give
(Alms-giving) to meet the needs of the needy (Matthew 6:2-4, Matthew 5:42, 1 John
3:17)
NOTE:
I would like to once again remind us to give with a clear conscience and that our
giving should be based on Biblical principles. For example, as I noted
earlier, when you give, give it in the name of Jesus, give to honor the Lord,
give as an act of worship. Do not give in your own name or make and honor your
own name. Do not give to make your family name great. Such giving may be good
in the sight of people and they may praise you (that is your reward), but in
the sight of God, such giving has no value.
Where to
give?
The
next logical question is where to give? Two specific places you and I can give
are:
1. # Our own local church (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 4:32-37). The
church/fellowship where we attend and are part of, the church/fellowship where
we are nourished spiritually. Every Biblical church will have various ministries
and missions. When we give and honor the Lord with our wealth by giving it to our
local churches, the leaders of our churches can and will use our giving wisely in
various ministries and missions for the glory of God.
2. # Whenever you see genuine needs and the Holy Spirit
leads you to give. It could be to some mission works, to needy people, to
sponsor a child education, to God’s servants, to an orphanage home, etc. Pray and give
wisely (read. Matthew 25:31-40)
Why GIVE?
The question WHY is an important
one to be considered. You may ask, why give and honor the Lord with our wealth?
We will briefly look at 4 reasons why we give.
1. # God tells us to
give (Proverbs 3:9; Luke 6:38). We may not know all the reasons why God tells
us, commanded us, and counseled us to give. But I believe these 4 reasons are momentously
significant. And should I say that the returns of our giving are infinitely
good too?
2. # It is an act of
loving and honoring God (Proverbs 3:9; Luke 10:27). Wealth/money basically represents
our strength, ability, and our responsibility as well. By working our strength and
sweat are exchanged/converted into wealth. Some people inherit wealth from their
parents. In giving, our mind, soul, heart, and strength are involved. Giving to
the Lord then is an act of love and honoring God.
3. #. It is for our own good as well. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25) also see Matthew 6:3-4; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6)
4. It glorifies God (1 Cor. 10:31; Isaiah 43:7; 2 Cor. 9:12-13; Matthew 5:16). Here is one example of how God is gloried in our giving, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God…” (2 Cor. 9:12-13)
Some Bible
passages on giving
1. ## 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)
2. ## A generous
person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs
18:16)
3. ## But who am I,
and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand
(1 Chronicle 29:14)
4. ## For if the
willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not
according to what one does not have (2 Cor. 8:12)
5. ## Give, and it
will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running
over, will be poured into your lap. For with what measure you use, it will be
measured to you (Luke 6:38)
6. ## Honor the Lord
with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops (Proverbs 3:9)
7. ## God is able to
bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all you need,
you will abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8)
8. ## When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and on the streets to be honored by others, Truly I tell you, they have received
their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand
know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be secret. Then
your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:2-4)
9. ## If I give all I possess
to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have
love, I gain nothing (1 Cor. 13:3)
God bless you!
