The Christian & Giving
It has been said that 25% of Jesus' words in the Gospels are related to our resources and our use of them. Surveying the entire Bible, there are over 800 verses dealing with a wide variety of financial topics including: planning, budgeting, saving, investing, debt, tithing and giving (see the Bible’s Proverbs for numerous examples of this). Further, the biblical use of money includes things like: our loving and honoring God with it (Proverbs 3:9), providing for the needs of our family (1 Timothy 5:8), supporting the ministry of our church (1 Timothy 6:17-18), showing tangible love to others (Romans 12:13), and simply having some fun and enjoying God's grace to us through the use of our resources (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Jesus also tells us that how we use our money is an indicator of whether we love God, or whether our love of possessions has replaced the priority of God in our lives (Matthew 6:19-21; 6:24). Therefore, how we handle our money is of great importance to the Lord.
Two Approaches to Stuff
What most of us have learned naturally, in the world in which we live, is ownership. Ownership means, you have a job, you’ve worked hard for a check, and now it’s yours to spend on the things you want, as you see fit. Yet, when Christians embrace this ownership philosophy, they often find themselves giving to the Lord out of their leftovers (if there are any) rather than out of a heart that makes Jesus a priority. Accordingly, those who practice ownership, tend to spend their resources first on themselves, and then on the Lord (if there’s anything left) as an afterthought of Jesus.
In contrast to ownership, God’s Word teaches stewardship. Stewardship views all of our wealth and even ourselves as ultimately belonging to God (See Deuteronomy 8:18; Psalm 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; James 1:16-17). And because stewards see themselves as belonging to God, they recognize that everything they are and have belong to the Lord and have been given to them as a gift of God’s grace. Therefore, stewards seek both to enjoy the gifts God has given and to invest them for Jesus, His church, others and the future by distributing them wisely. In the Bible there are three basic categories that all Christians are called to steward: our time (Ephesians 5:15-16), our talents (1 Peter 4:10), and our treasure (money: Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, and God’s world: Gen. 1:28; 2:15).
A Word on Tithing
In the Old Testament we are frequently told that Israel was to “tithe” to the work of the Lord. The word tithe literally means to give a tenth of all that one earns as wealth. Many Christians still use this concept of giving 10 percent as a good personal guideline, and so you may still hear Christians speak of giving in terms of tithing. This is fine, as long as we understand that in the New Testament we are taught, not so much tithing, but a generous, grace-based giving, that Christians are to practice as we give in the name of Jesus. It further instructs that this giving should be a joy and honor for Christians. And it should be done regularly, thoughtfully, cheerfully, and sacrificially to the Lord, His work and people (see 2 Corinthians chapters 8-9).
Conclusion
Imagine if someone invited you to their home for dinner. When you arrive, you find that your host has not prepared dinner at all. Instead, he or she takes you to their refrigerator and starts yanking out leftovers for you to eat. Out of the icebox comes a half devoured hamburger, a 2-week-old, picked-over doggy bag and the wilty remains of some slimy veggies. Would you be happy with this meal? Or would you feel disappointed, slighted or even somehow cheated?
When we handle our wealth from a philosophy of ownership, it’s much like giving to God as an afterthought from the scraps in our refrigerator. But when we as Christians practice stewardship, we make the Lord a priority, by giving to Him consciously from our very best. As you seek to walk with Jesus, exchange the world’s philosophy of ownership, for the Lord’s calling of being His steward. Practice purposeful giving as a God-honoring habit for life.