Principles of Giving

I am currently teaching a Missional Life Institute New Testament survey course designed to help participants understand the big ideas of each book of the New Testament. It’s a fun “dot-connecting” sort of course that moves rather quickly, while affording a few minutes here and there to drill down more deeply in pockets of each book.

As I was preparing for a recent class discussion, I spent a few minutes exploring the principles of giving found in 2 Corinthians 8-9. In light of a message Pastor Bob preached on January 27, I thought it might be helpful to walk through the following seven principles and comment how each one should impact us as individual believers:

Give Generously (8:2)

Despite their impoverished condition, the Macedonian churches gave with great liberality. We’ll look at the sacrificial nature of this gift next, but for now let’s not miss the important fact that they gave generously.

There is a theological debate centered on whether New Testament believers are bound by the tithe. I personally believe we are not. (Consider reading chapter 38 of Thomas Scrheiner’s 40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law for a brief, but solid, treatment of this issue.) However, I doubt this is the proper question with which followers of Jesus should wrestle. Instead, biblically, it seems more fitting that Christians should wrestle with the question of how much more we can give for the cause of Christ! Sadly, studies reveal that the average Christian gives roughly 2-3% of his or her income to the cause of the gospel. Far, far from generous giving.

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: Why not strive to increase your giving this year by at least a percentage point or two? Take the next step of faith wherever you are in your giving and increase your generosity for the cause of Christ.

Give Sacrificially (8:3)

Carrying forward the thought from the first principle, the second is intertwined tightly with it. The Macedonian churches gave sacrificially. They didn’t just give from their excess. They didn’t just give in a way that they could absorb the “loss.” They gave from where it hurt. They risked much in their giving. They gave in a way that most likely prompted many kitchen table conversations between husbands and wives with the checkbook laid bare along with the anticipated bills coming due.

I wonder how sacrificial the giving of many American Christians actually is. I wonder if most American believers begin by setting aside money needed for bills, expenses, etc. (perhaps even luxury items), and then give based on what is leftover. This is safe, cushioned, safety-net giving. This is far from sacrificial, this-may-hurt-me giving that the Macedonians practiced.

Why give sacrificially? What is wrong with safe giving? Well, when we consider that our giving is an act of worship born out of the proper understanding of the gospel, and that the gospel hinges on the total sacrifice of the Son for God’s glory and the believer’s good, sacrifice should be expected.

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: Does your giving cost you anything? Is there a way you can sacrifice this year (e.g. shorten, simplify or forgo a vacation) to increase your investment in the Kingdom of Christ?

Give Eagerly (8:4)

The Macedonians begged for the privilege of supporting their fellow saints. Dwell on that for a moment. Here was a group of relatively poor believers who heard about the greater misfortune of other followers of Christ and they pleaded with Paul to be able to provide assistance! What an amazing heart of love.

What about our attitude toward giving today? Is giving something we do grudgingly and reluctantly? Or do we give eagerly with a sense of worship and excitement?

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: If eagerness in giving is a struggle, consider praying over the check you write as you write it and give it. Ask God to give you a sense of eagerness and enthusiasm in your giving. At the same time, try to connect the dots of the work God is accomplishing through your giving. Share in the joy knowing that when a person gives his or her life to Christ as a result of the ministry and activity of your church, you played a critical role.

Give Willingly (8:5)

The Macedonians did not give under compulsion, but willingly to the cause. To be more precise, they willingly gave because of their complete devotion to Christ and desire to obey the will of God, which we know includes meeting the needs of others. Relationship and sound doctrine drove their action to give.

As I write this blog, Valentines Day encroaches and I have to tell you that I don’t like Valentines Day at all. Oh, it’s not because I don’t love my wife – I adore her. And it’s not because I don’t want to give her flowers, or chocolates, or something like that. I love providing those things for her even if I probably don’t do it enough. And it’s certainly not because I don’t want to spend time with her. I can think of no one I’d rather spend time with more than her.  So why do I dislike Valentines Day? Because it feels forced. I feel coerced to do that which I want to do normally.

I wonder how many Christians view giving as coercion? How many give, not because they have the privilege to, but because they feel they have to?

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: Spend some time prayerfully considering your privilege to invest in Kingdom work. If any part of you views giving as coercive, pray that God transforms your thinking and purifies it to understand and appreciate the unique opportunity you have in giving toward the cause of Christ.

Give Sincerely (8:8)

Paul explained that giving proves the sincerity of a believer’s love. It’s an action that, in part, proves a person’s claim to love Christ and love other believers. In essence, it is the familiar axiom: put your money where your mouth is.

This principle ties to the previous one (and in fact, all of the principles are interconnected), because one cannot give willingly without sincerity. In my estimation, one of the most difficult areas of life to yield to Christ is our motivation. We can produce actions relatively easily, but purifying our motivation is so much more challenging. The area of giving is no exception. How many believers give without sincerity? They aren’t giving because they want to glorify God; they give because they want something from God. Or something from the church. Or something from the pastor. Or they give to appease spiritual insufficiency in their life. (To state it crassly, there are people who believe they can literally buy God’s favor.)

That is not the right heart of giving. Instead, our giving should be sincere through pure motives and convictions.

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: Ask yourself the challenging question: would I still give, and if so how much would I give, if no one – absolutely no one – knew about it? Probe more deeply into your heart and ask if you expect anything in return for your giving. Even expecting a “thank you” card may be symptomatic of a lack of sincere giving. Pray that God purifies your motivation in giving.

Give Expectantly (9:6)

The biblical axiom is that the way in which a person sows will determine how he or she reaps. (See Proverbs 11:24 & 19:17 and Luke 6:38.) Unfortunately, this truth has been corrupted by many, namely within the prosperity gospel movement who have turned it into a formula and defined “blessing” two-dimensionally (health and wealth).

Paul’s point, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is that our actions reveal our hearts which explains God’s treatment toward us. So for example, a person who does not give generously and who hoards and selfishly deprives others cannot expect to be blessed by God. Conversely, the person who demonstrates a giving heart should expect God’s blessing.

Now, how God blesses leaves quite a bit of room for diversity. It may be financial. It may not be. It may be opportunities. It may not be. It may be relationships with others. It may not be. It may be a position or authority. It may not be. It may be increased joy and peace. It may not be. You get the picture. So we are to expect blessing but recognize blessing may come in various forms (including suffering!).

This principle may seem to contradict with the previous one. However, they are not in conflict. The previous principle of sincerity concerns avoiding selfish motivation in giving. This principle of expectancy concerns understanding and believing God will work through your giving for the betterment of the Kingdom and you will experience that in some way, shape, or form. So instead of giving desiring personal gain, the believer should give expecting God to work and rejoicing when a person comes to saving faith in Christ seeing that as an expected blessing of giving.

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: If you are praying for rain, you better carry an umbrella around with you. Likewise, if you are truly expecting God to work through your giving, you should prepare yourself for it to happen. Have you prepared yourself? Are you ready for an increase of participants in church? Ready to possibly need to start a new Bible study group? Ready for potential parking and space problems? Are you ready to personally share your faith and follow-up a new believer? Pray through ways you need to prepare yourself in light of expecting God to be at work.

Give Cheerfully (9:7)

God loves a cheerful giver. I want to be loved, don’t you? So how do we give cheerfully? I believe this final principle is a culmination of the first six. When we are giving generously, sacrificially, eagerly, willingly, sincerely, and expectantly, I believe that we will have no choice but to be cheerful and joyful as we give. There is joy in obedience!

SUGGESTED PERSONAL APPLICATION: Give yourself the “smile test.” When you write a check or place that check in the offering plate, are you smiling? Now, this isn’t an exact science because joy and cheerfulness may not always be manifested in a smile, but it is at least a starting point. Pray that God helps you with each of these principles so that you will find yourself smiling as you give toward the Kingdom.

I pray that this brief interaction with these seven principles is beneficial to you and that you can practice each to see transformation in your giving and relationship with Christ Jesus.