LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for April 29: Christianity 105: Manage money well

This week’s lesson focuses on the Christian’s attitude and use of money. The Bible clearly teaches Christians should give to the church. It’s a command just like telling the truth, showing humility, sharing your faith and praying for others.

So how much are we supposed to give? A lot of people talk about the tithe, a flat 10 percent, and leave it at that. I am not sure we can make it that simple. I share with the people of our church a 10-point pattern for giving found in the New Testament. We can glean from several passages in the Bible what it is God desires of us in our giving.

“Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)

First, give willingly—“not reluctantly or under compulsion.” This doesn’t mean you should not give if you are reluctant. It means if you are reluctant when you give, you should pray God will change your heart.

Second, give cheerfully: “God loves a cheerful giver.” You are not fully obeying God if you give in a stingy, protesting or otherwise unhappy manner.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 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 16:1-2).

Third, give personally—“each of you.” Everyone who earns money (no matter where it comes from) should give.

Fourth give systematically—“on the first day of every week.” While Paul suggests weekly giving, this more broadly implies regular amounts at regular times. We are not to allow fear or financial pressure to cause us from straying from from our commitments.

Fifth, give proportionally—“as he may prosper.” The more you receive, the more you give. It is undeniably clear that when God gives greater wealth, we are to give a greater amount. While the Old Testament clearly taught the principle of the tithe (10 percent), the New Testament has no clear command except that we are to give proportionately and sacrificially.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich … . For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness  your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness” (2 Corinthians 8:9-14).

Sixth, give like Christ—“though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor … .” Christ gave in such a way that it truly affected him. He gave sacrificially, and so should we.  If we give only an amount that will keep us from “feeling it,” we are not truly giving an offering to God. Our offerings to God should be made in a Christ-centered, self-denying way. The great price Jesus paid for us should motivate us to look beyond our comfort as we give our offerings.  

Seventh, give sensibly—“not according to what he does not have.” Here is the flip side of number six. We are not supposed to give more than we can realistically afford. Do not literally give all you have and then wonder why God did not provide dinner. The degree of sacrifice in our giving should be determined by the Holy Spirit’s leading.

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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 in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:2-4).

Eighth, give discreetly: “Do not let your left hand know what your right is doing.” Give secretly. Remember the story of the widow who gave the two mites. God is not looking at the amount but the heart. Your giving is not for you or your reputation.

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Ninth, give faithfully—“they must be found trustworthy.” Remember that all you have isn’t yours, but God’s. You have been given the responsibility of using all he has put under your care for his kingdom. He promises he will reward faithfulness.

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Malachi 3:8-10).

Finally, give adventurously—“Test me in this … .” If you give God all he is due, the windows of heaven will open and pour out blessings all over you. They may or may not be financial, but they’ll be great and wonderful, just like our God.

Giving is an act of faith, an opportunity to see how God proves himself faithful. Not only that, but your church needs your offering. Don’t worry about the amount. God takes the gifts we give, both big and small, and does great things because he is a great God.