One of our church leaders was recently asked by a Jewish friend how our church raises finances. Our church leader replied that we rely 100% on the voluntary giving of our church members – no compulsion, no policing, and totally anonymous. His friend was greatly astonished.
Our church leader then enquired as to how the synagogue raises funds. His friend went on to explain that at the beginning of each year the seats in the synagogue are “sold” – the more to the front, the more expensive.
Different organizations raise their finances in all kinds of different ways. However, all through the ages, God’s work has always been funded by God’s people.
Giving is an area in our lives that, as in all areas, we should be growing in and getting better at.
1. Knowing that God owns everything is foundational to my giving
John Wesley was a famous preacher in the 1700’s. On one occasion, a distressed man frantically rode his horse up to Wesley, shouting, “Something terrible has happened! Your house has burned down!” Considering the news for a moment, Wesley replied, “No. The Lord’s house burned to the ground. That means one less responsibility for me!”
Wesley’s response may seem naïve, but his comment springs from one of life’s most basic realities: everything in this world belongs to God. God is the Rightful Owner of everything in his world.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
Psalm 24:1
Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deuteronomy 10:14
Your house in not ultimately your house, but God’s house.
That car you drive, is not your car, but’s God’s.
All that we have belongs to God and God has entrusted all we have to us as his stewards. This truth requires a massive mind shift.
For example, we should regularly be asking God how he would have us spend his money.
2. My attitude and actions towards money and possessions demonstrates my true spiritual condition
Jesus taught more about money and possessions than about heaven and hell. Why?
Jesus knew that how we spend our money is one of the best indicators of where our priorities lie and what we consider important.
My attitude and actions towards money and possessions demonstrates my true spiritual condition
In Luke 19, Jesus had a meal with a hated tax-collector. The tax-collector had a profound encounter with Jesus and was converted.
Here’s the astounding truth: Jesus judged the reality of Zacchaeus’ conversion by his willingness to cheerfully give his money to repay (and more) that which he had stolen. From being a tight-fisted thief, Zacchaeus became a open-handed giver.
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
Luke 19:8-9
Conversion is a supernatural experience and it produces supernatural results, even in our wallets and spending patterns.
In contrast to Zacchaeus, there was a rich young ruler who refused to follow Jesus because he loved his money too much.
3. I can give to the Lord’s work because I know he cares for me
I know that times have been tough and the cost of living is rising every day. And at times tempted to think: “If I don’t care for myself nobody will.”
Jesus spoke to his disciples in Matthew 10:29-31,
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
A sparrow does not fall from the sky apart from the Will of God.
How much more does God care for his children?
Similarly, Jesus said in Luke 12:27-31,
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
If God cares for birds and lilies, how much more does he care for his children?
God knows what his children need.
Therefore, I can give to the Lord’s work because I know that God cares for me.
4. Giving to the Lord’s work should be budgeted
Many Christians come to the end of the month and say, “I have nothing left to give.”
In the Old Testament, God’s people gave of their firstfruits. In other words, they gave at beginning of the harvest, not at the end.
That’s a really good principle.
As they gave of their firstfruits, it was as if they were saying, “Lord I give to you only what is yours. As I give to you at the beginning of the harvest, I trust you to provide for me throughout the harvest.”
I can just about guarantee that you won’t have anything left to give at end of this month, and that’s why it’s a good principle to give at the beginning of the month as part of our budget.
On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
1 Corinthians 16:2
In those days most people, if they were paid, were paid weekly. If the Apostle Paul was writing to us today, he would probably ask us to put something aside on the first day of every month.
As we give to the Lord’s work at the beginning of the month, it’s as if we are saying, “Lord, I’m only giving what is yours already. I trust you to provide for my needs for the rest of the month.”
Notice they were to give (v2) “as he may prosper”.
That is, our giving should be in proportion to our income.
Giving 10% (a tithe) to the Lord’s work (especially through your local church) has always been a helpful guideline to believers down the ages. Therefore, if you earn little you give less, and if you earn more you give more.
Nevertheless, there are no rules for Christian giving. God only commends his people to give cheerfully, sacrificially, secretly and generously.
Would you ask God to give you wisdom as you give to His work?