Giving to God?

One of the most important aspects of our Christian life, and sometimes the least understood, is our giving. Why is it so important? Television evangelists, and others have tainted the image of Christian giving, and so much so, that statistics point out that the average Christian, in the USA, gives less than 2% of his / her income to the Lord. There may be many reasons for this, and we’ll choose not to get in to that topic here, today.

For now, it should be enough to look only at “why” we give. Is it because it is commanded? Yes. Is it because it is needed? Yes. Is it to further the work of the local congregation? Yes. Is it to support outreach activities, locally and globally? Yes. Are any of those reasons adequate to cause Christians to give as they should? Apparently not.

My personal conviction is that giving is an indication of our trust in God. It is an indication of our dependence on God. And, an indication of our grateful acknowledgement that all things come from Him. Christians who don’t give as they should don’t have an economic problem, they have a heart problem. Their relationship with God is not all that it could be.

1 Corinthians 16:2 is a benchmark passage for giving. In this verse, Paul teaches that we are to save whatever we have to give, and give on the first day of every week. The KJV reads “as God hath prospered him”. The NIV reads, “according to his income”. McCord’s wording is “if he earns anything”. And the NASB reads, “as he may prosper”.

The first three renderings of this phrase imply God gets a portion of what we’ve already received. Those may be correct interpretations. That may be as God intended it. But, that’s an easy out in showing our trust and dependency on God. It is one thing to give of what I’ve already received. It’s quite another to give of what I expect to receive. The NASB reading, “as he may prosper”, can go either way, but at least provides a possibility of giving based on expectations and trust, not assurance.

Clearly, Jesus’ words in Luke 6:38 leave but one interpretation. “Give and it will be given unto you”. And, “for by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return”, a clear distinction from reactionary giving. Jesus is teaching anticipatory giving. Giving, in trust and confidence, that God will take care of me.

Malachi reinforces the “measure” aspect with his statement in 3:10. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, test me in this”, God urges His people. See “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows”. God has not quit blessing His people, but sometimes it appears His people quit trusting Him.

Some have said on occasion, “don’t give until it hurts, give until it feels good”. Aren’t we glad God doesn’t just give ‘til it hurts?