The issue of giving to the Lord is one that is greatly misunderstood and about which there is much false teaching today. For the most part, Christian teachers have taken two approaches to giving. They either talk about it constantly, making it the only measure of faith and blessing, or they completely ignore the issue not wanting to be accused of being a “money hungry preacher.” Neither approach is proper. A careful study of what God has to say about giving is needed.
The Root of All Evil
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he speaks of the danger of money.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I Timothy 6:10
The danger in money is not the money itself, but rather our attitude about it. If material gain is more important than the truth of God’s Word, we are on the road to erring from the faith and rejecting God’s truth for filthy lucre’s sake.
In the Old Testament the leadership of Israel rejected God’s truth for the reward of material gain. They made judgments based, not on God’s truth, but on who was the highest bidder.
Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Micah 3:9-11.
In Paul’s day the propensity of man to sell out the truth is demonstrated in men like Demetrius, who was more concerned about his craft of idol-making than about who was really the living and true God.
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. Acts 19:24-27
Another variation of this problem can be seen in Paul’s account of his fellow laborer, Demas.
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers. Philemon 1:24
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. II Timothy 4:10
Demas had once labored with Paul but by the end of Paul’s life had forsaken him, “having loved this present world”. We are never told that Demas rejected or opposed the truth that Paul preached but he did lose his focus and drive to proclaim that truth. Sometimes the love of money and the things of this world do not lead to opposing the truth but to being apathetic about it.
Rather than abandon the truth and its proclamation for monetary gain, making money our God, we should use money to promote the truth of God. Paul gives very specific instructions in his epistles about where our affections, and therefore our money, should be focused.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1,2
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; I Timothy 6:17,18
As we look at the details of how much money to give God, it is important to keep in mind the general attitude needed in our dealings with our material goods. Our goods are tools to be used to further God’s truth. Our money goes where we place our affections.
The Attitude of Grace Giving
Under the law and kingdom programs, Israel was motivated with the promise of blessing and the fear of cursing. This principle, applied to giving, is seen in the message to Israel from the prophet Malachi.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:8-10
The fear factor is also seen in the kingdom program in the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. After they lied about their commitment of giving, and were struck dead for their sin, the following sobering statement is given concerning the attitude of the kingdom church.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Acts 5:11
It is easy to see how this type of curse for disobedience brings fear to those living under this system. If we faced the possibility of being struck dead for giving improperly, we would certainly be very careful about how we gave. Fear is a strong motivator.
Giving under the law also made God a debtor to the giver. In the passage from Malachi, God says to Israel, “prove me.” Giving, and all obedience under the law makes God a debtor to the performer. When a person obeys God’s commandment, God is obligated to give the appropriate blessing. Thus God tells Israel to “prove” him, to demonstrate his faithfulness in giving the blessing He promised.
Giving, like all obedience under grace, is not motivated by fear but by love. The motivation to serve in the Age of Grace is clearly set forth by Paul in his second letter to the church at Corinth.
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: II Corinthians 5:14
Our motivation to serve under grace should never be fear of being cursed by God. Fear of a curse is not a valid reason to serve the Lord in this Age of Grace. God has already given all the spiritual blessings that he has for us in this life.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3
Our physical blessing waits for the future redemption of our bodies.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:22,23
Our blessing in this Age of Grace is in no way dependent upon our performance in giving, or in any other area. We have already been spiritually blessed in Christ all believers will enjoy the physical blessing of the redemption of our bodies at a future time.
Additionally, our giving is no longer a way to prove God; it is a way to prove us. Paul writes to Corinth about their giving a gift for the poor saints at Jerusalem.
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. II Corinthians 8:8
Giving in the Age of Grace is a means whereby we are proved, not a means whereby we prove God.
Our attitude about giving in the Age of Grace is one of a heart of love and gratitude for what God has already graciously done for us. Our giving must never be motivated by the fear of judgment or the attempt to gain additional blessing from God, but rather to prove the sincerity of our love.
The Amount of Grace Giving
In time past under the law and kingdom economies the amount of giving was specified in great detail. In the book of Deuteronomy, God gave Israel a specific percentage for their giving.
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. . . . And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. . . . At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year , and shalt lay it up within thy gates: Deuteronomy 14:22,27,28
Israel was commanded to give 20% every year and 30% every third year. In addition, there were many other required givings under the law, as well as the opportunity to give free will offerings.
And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: Deuteronomy 12:6
When the kingdom was “at hand” in the earthly ministry of Christ and early Acts, the level of giving increased dramatically.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matthew 19:21
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms:…Luke 12:32,33a
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:44,45
In the Kingdom program the level of giving was not 20%, or 30%, or even 50%; it was 100 %!
While the amount of giving under the law and kingdom program is different, in each instance the specific amount was spelled out. There was no misunderstanding about the amount of giving God demanded under the law and kingdom programs. Those requirements were enforced with some very severe punishments if not met.
In this Age of Grace there are no such commandments concerning the amount of our giving to the Lord. Paul does, however, give some principles that will guide us in determining the amount of our giving.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:6,7
This passage gives three important principles of grace giving.
First, we are to purpose in our hearts. That means that we should prayerfully consider how much we can give to the Lord’s work, just as we would consider any other financial commitment that we would make. The amount of our giving should be based on a specific plan and purpose, not on how much we happen to have in our wallet on Sunday morning.
Second, we will reap in direct proportion to where we sow. If we “invest” in spiritual things we will reap an eternal, spiritual reward. If we spend our money on corruptible things they will one day melt with fervent heat. Where we put the most money is determined by where we want to see the most fruit.
Finally, our giving is to be cheerful. You should give God as much as you can give Him and still have a cheerful attitude about it. If you can give $100 cheerfully, but you begrudge the 101st dollar then you should stop at $100. It is far better to give $100 with the proper attitude than $1,000,000 with a grudging heart. The amount of our giving should be determined by how much we give cheerfully.
Paul desired that we “abound” in our giving. Rather than limiting our giving by imposing a tithe or some other fixed amount, Paul gives liberty to allow God’s grace to abound in our giving.
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. II Corinthians 8:7
The amount of giving in the Age of Grace is not governed by a specific regulation, as it was under the law and kingdom economies. The amount of giving today is based upon the principles of grace revealed to us in Paul’s epistles.
The Answer to Grace Giving
There is no greater blasphemy taught today, and no greater sham perpetrated on an unsuspecting public than the teaching that God will somehow reward you with financial gain if you give to the Lord. As with many other false teachings today, this comes from applying the principles of the law to the Age of Grace. If you reread the passage from Malachi quoted earlier you will see that God did promise a physical blessing to Israel if they would give of their tithes.
However, nowhere in scripture is the Church, the Body of Christ promised material gain because of our giving. In the life of Paul the Apostle, the opposite was true. Paul gave more to the cause of Christ than perhaps any other man that has ever lived, and yet he suffered great privation. Paul went from a wealthy Pharisee at the top of Jewish society to a poor apostle who often didn’t know where his next meal was coming from.
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation. . . . Galatians 1:13,14a
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. II Corinthians 11:27
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Philippians 3:8
What we can expect to receive as a result of our sacrificial giving is eternal glory.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: II Corinthians 4:17
Don’t let anyone con you into giving them money for ministry with the false promise that God will return it “good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over.” As you give to the Lord, don’t look for material gain but rather eternal spiritual glory.
Give the Right Way
God honors giving today only when it is done in accordance with the principles of grace and not in accordance with instructions for the law and the kingdom. We must give with the proper attitude after carefully considering the amount, and expect the right answer from God in response to our giving.