What Does the Bible Say About Giving?
First, Jesus declares that our attitude towards money reflects the purpose of our heart: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be" (Matthew 6:21). it helps to look at our various financial accounts and see how we spend our money. Our love for God and His work will be seen in the way we give our money.
The Bible gives principles that help us in how we think and how we spend our money:
1.God has everything and gives his things, including money, to the one he chooses.
Consider Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the LORD's, and all that is in it, the earth and all who dwell in it." Consider also Proverbs 22:2, "The rich and the poor have this one thing in common: The Lord is the Creator of them all." the truth is that everything we have has come from God. He gives according to his purposes and plans. The question should never be "How much should I give?" but "How would God make me use his money?"
2.How we use and give God's money is a fundamental aspect of worship.
Colossians 3:17 commands us to do everything for the glory of God, whatever we do. Therefore, when we spend and give our money, we must be sure that what we do glorifies and honors God. This includes our charitable giving to the church and other gospel ministries. but it also includes what we do with all the money entrusted to us by God.
3.Giving to the church and the ministry of the gospel is commanded by God.
First Corinthians 16:1-2 talks about the need to give: "Now about the donation for God's people: Do what I told the churches of Galatia to do. On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside an amount of money according to your income, saving. Consistent giving to the church for ministry is God's command for Christians.
4.Giving should be done with care, dedication, generosity and joy.
we should think carefully about how much to give according to our income (1 Corinthians 16:2). Along with these verses, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and anyone who sows generously will also reap generously. Let each one give as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or forced, because God loves a generous giver." Thoughtfulness, generosity, freedom, and joy are all part of giving. We should be "cheerful" in our giving. It is easy to be happy when singing praises to God. This same joy should be present in our giving. We have an example of giving. of sacrifice to the Macedonians, who gave even in their "severe trials," "extreme poverty," and "beyond their means" (2 Corinthians 8:1-9).
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| What Does the Bible Say About Giving? |
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to give about 23 percent of their annual income to help the Levites (Leviticus 27:30), to sponsor festivals such as Passover (Deuteronomy 12:10–18), and to help the poor (Deuteronomy Torah 14:28–29). these orders included two tithes (giving 10 percent) and one third tithe. Giving was a legal requirement in the Israelite theocracy.
In addition to their required offering, God directed the Israelites to make "voluntary" offerings. Deuteronomy 16:10 explains that they were to give a "freewill offering according to the blessings that the Lord your God has given you." It is this order that most closely resembles the New Testament type of provision. no tithe is required today, but our gifts are equal to a freewill offering. After prayer and thought, we give what we feel God would like us to do. Believers have freedom in this place of worship. When the Lord prospers us, we should focus on giving more.
5.Our delivery should be done quietly.
Jesus warned us against giving flamboyantly or in a way that would draw attention to ourselves. He told us, "Let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing" (Matthew 6:3). Our giving should "be in secret" (verse 4). and we have the promise that "Your Father who sees in secret will fill you" (verse 4). The reward of God the Father will surely be better than the applause and praise of men.
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