Giving is one of the greatest secrets to winning in life. In a world of grabbing and getting and 'give me', it is actually those who learn to give who really live. Sir Winston Churchill said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give". Anne Frank said: "No one has ever become poor by giving", and Francis of Assisi stated "For it is in giving that we receive". Giving is at the very heart of Christianity and a biblical worldview.
In the Old Testament we read how God gave a world of light and life for all to enjoy. He gave prophets, priests and kings to guide people in the ways of godly living. He gave promises to bless all generations. In the New Testament we read in Ephesians 4:11-12 that "Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up". But the greatest gift God has ever given to the world is the gift of Jesus Christ. As John 3:16 famously tells us: "for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".
Every day we should receive and share God’s good gifts. Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven that He would ‘give us each day our daily bread' (Luke 11:3) and He also taught in Matthew 10:8 that 'freely you have received; freely give’.
All through the Bible we see that giving comes in many forms. We are to:
• give thanks to God (Psalm 100:4)
• give ourselves wholeheartedly to living and working for God (1 Corinthians 15:58)
• give ourselves to the reading and preaching of the Word of God (Acts 6:4)
• give our lives to God (Romans 12:1)
In short, giving encompasses all areas of life. We are to be givers in our homes and families, in the workplace, in our communities and in the church.
Whether or not we are givers will be seen in every aspect of our lives. It will show in how generous we are in our words to our family and to others. It will show in how well we tip a waiter, waitress or taxi driver. It will show in how we give of our time and talents for good and for God and in so many other ways. And it will certainly show in our giving of our finances to the church we are committed to. Jesus taught a great deal about the importance and significance of giving. We see some important lessons about giving:
1. Giving reveals the state of the heart (Matthew 6:21)
a. Giving shows whether or not you put God first (Matt. 6:33; Luke 16:13; Matt. 19:22; Haggai 1:4 MSG)
b. Giving shows whether or not you truly trust God (Matt. 6:25-27)
c. Giving shows whether or not you obey God (Malachi 3:10; Matt. 23:23)
2. Giving needs to be a habit
a. Regular giving (1 Corinthians 16:2)
b. Planned giving (2 Corinthians 9:7)
c. Joyful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7)
3. Giving brings a harvest (2 Corinthians 9:6 & 10)
a. You will be blessed
i. On earth (Luke 6:38)
ii. In Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)
b. The church will be blessed (2 Corinthians 9:8 & 10-11a)
c. The world will be blessed (2 Corinthians 9:13)
Apply
What is the state of your heart towards giving? Is money or Jesus your priority in life? Jesus said ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Matthew 6:21). When it comes to giving, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Billy Graham said: “Give me five minutes with a person’s cheque book, and I will tell you where their heart is" and Martin Luther said “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind, and the purse”. Giving shows whether or not you put God first. Having a right heart requires getting your priorities in order (Matthew 6:33): God and His plans and purposes must be our top priority. Our giving shows how much we honour God and whether or not we place the highest value on our relationship with Him (Luke 16:13 & Matthew 19:22). When God’s people were more focussed on building their own lovely homes rather than restoring the temple, God challenged them through the prophet Haggai to change their priorities (Haggai 1:4). If we understand the potential of a church body to bring change locally and globally, then we should do all we can to prioritise the building of the financial resources of the church.
Do you truly trust and obey God? Some people hoard their money and hold back on their giving because they fear their money will run out. Of course, we have to be wise and prudent with the finances we have. But we can also give with faith when we are confident that we have a heavenly father who loves us and who will supply our needs (Matthew 6:25-27). Giving also shows whether or not you obey God (Malachi 3:10). Tithing is giving 10 per cent of our income, and was taught in the Old Testament and confirmed by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23). Really 10 per cent should be seen as a minimum guideline since a New Testament understanding of grace should result in a greater generosity than in the Old Testament. The teaching on giving is clear, so it is over to us to choose to obey and give.
Are you in the regular habit of giving? Do you give to the Lord with a joyful heart? Whenever our money comes in, we should set aside a sum proportionate to what we are earning. This should be the first, rather than the last, deduction (1 Corinthians 16:2). Don’t be haphazard or casual in your giving, but develop it as a habit (e.g. standing orders may help). Also giving needs to be planned (2 Corinthians 9:7). Impulse giving is good but not sufficient. We need to plan the bulk of our giving while leaving room for moments of spontaneous generosity. It’s also important to decide in your heart to give and never to feel pressured to give because of what others may be giving. Always remember your giving is to God and not to please people. Our giving should be planned and regular and joyful (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Greek word for cheerful is 'hilaros' which conveys the idea of hilarity and fun. Giving can and will be joyful when we are freed from the love of this world’s currency and are confident that we are investing in the most secure bank of all; the bank of heaven. Be sure to keep the joy in your life by happily giving to God with no sense of compulsion.
Are you prepared to reap a harvest from your giving? Generous givers will see a harvest (2 Corinthians 9:6 & 10). You will be blessed on earth (Luke 6:38) and you will be blessed in heaven (Matt. 6:19-20) as you give. Giving is an amazing opportunity for us personally to bless and to be blessed. The church will also be blessed and have all the resources it needs (2 Corinthians 9:8 & 10-11a). And the world will be blessed: when there is giving to the church there will be greater giving from the church. (e.g. the KCI South Africa feeding programme during lockdown). So commit to faithfully give your tithes and offerings. Let’s generously sow many financial seeds with faith and vision. KCI Founder, Pastor Billy Richards, started the church when he invested his life savings of just £12 on three months’ rent of a little scout hut and paid for a little sign and some handbills. This first offering has reaped a great harvest. At this moment, when there is so much financial uncertainty in the world, let’s step up as a church to excel in the grace of giving and help accelerate the advance of Christ’s kingdom on earth.
