What about giving?
Question 11004
Beyond the question of tithing lies the broader question of Christian giving. How should we think about our money and possessions? What does Scripture teach about generosity, stewardship, and the use of our resources for God’s kingdom?
Everything Belongs to God
The starting point for biblical giving is recognising that we own nothing. “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). God owns it all. We are stewards, not owners. When we “give” to God, we are simply returning a portion of what already belongs to Him.
This changes everything. The question is not “How much of my money should I give to God?” but “How much of God’s money should I keep for myself?” We hold our possessions with an open hand, ready to use them as God directs.
Jesus warned repeatedly about the danger of wealth. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Money is not evil in itself, but the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils (1 Timothy 6:10). Wealth has a way of capturing our hearts, and generous giving is one of the best antidotes.
Give to the Local Church
The primary channel for Christian giving is the local church. In the Old Testament, the tithe went to the temple and the Levites. In the New Testament, the pattern continues with giving to support the work of the church.
Paul wrote, “Let him who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches” (Galatians 6:6). Those who benefit from the ministry of teaching should support those who provide it. “The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). Pastors and ministers deserve financial support from the churches they serve.
The church also has responsibility for the poor among its members. The early church in Jerusalem shared their possessions so that “there was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34). Paul spent years collecting an offering from the Gentile churches for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27, 2 Corinthians 8-9). Giving to the church enables it to fulfil its mission of preaching the Gospel, making disciples, and caring for those in need.
Give to Those in Need
Beyond the church, we are called to help the poor and needy. “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17). “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15-16).
The Good Samaritan did not just feel compassion for the man beaten by robbers; he spent his own money to care for him (Luke 10:33-35). Faith without works is dead, and this includes practical generosity to those in need.
Jesus said, “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). This does not mean we fund every request without discernment, but it does mean we should have a default posture of generosity rather than tight-fistedness. When in doubt, err on the side of giving.
Give to Gospel Work
Supporting missionaries, evangelists, and church planters is a biblical pattern. When Paul planted churches, he often worked as a tentmaker to support himself, but he also received gifts from churches that supported his ministry. The Philippians “sent a gift” to Paul multiple times (Philippians 4:16), and he commended them as partners in the Gospel.
John wrote, “We ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 8). By giving to those who proclaim the Gospel, we become partners in their work. We share in the fruit even though we stay at home.
Organisations that translate the Bible, train pastors, care for orphans, provide disaster relief, and otherwise advance God’s kingdom are worthy recipients of Christian generosity. Do your research, give wisely, but give.
How to Give
Give regularly. “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Systematic, planned giving is more effective than occasional impulses. Decide in advance what you will give and stick to it.
Give proportionally. Those with more should give more, both in amount and percentage. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48). A wealthy person who gives ten percent may be giving less sacrificially than a poor person who gives five percent.
Give secretly. “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 6:3-4). Do not give for recognition or applause. Give because you love God and want to serve His purposes.
Give cheerfully. “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). If you give grudgingly, the gift loses much of its value. Work on your heart until giving becomes a joy, not a burden. This may take time. Start where you are and ask God to increase your cheerfulness.
Give sacrificially. The widow who gave two small copper coins gave more than all the wealthy donors because “she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44). Sacrificial giving costs us something. It means doing without something we could have had. This is the kind of giving that honours God.
The Promise of Provision
Many Christians fear that if they give generously, they will not have enough for themselves. But Scripture consistently promises that God provides for givers. “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
This is not a prosperity Gospel that guarantees wealth to those who give. It is a promise that God takes care of His people who trust Him with their finances. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Note that this promise was made to the Philippians who had just sent a generous gift to Paul. Giving and receiving go together.
You cannot outgive God. Every time you think you are being generous, God proves to be more generous still. Test Him in this. See if He does not open the windows of heaven.
Conclusion
Giving is not a burden but a privilege. It breaks the power of money over our hearts. It advances God’s kingdom. It blesses others and brings joy to ourselves. It demonstrates that we trust God more than we trust our bank accounts. Be generous. Be systematic. Be cheerful. And watch what God does with a life surrendered to Him, including the wallet.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” Acts 20:35
