I preached on money recently and I must confess, I enjoyed it. I must also confess, I believe many, if not most, of our people enjoyed it. The topic, I mean. When I preach on money, giving, and stewardship, I inevitably receive questions like, “How should I know or decide what to give?” My heart is to help people know the gospel and understand how to live in it every day. I pray this post helps every reader know God’s Word and encourages obedience to God’s will in their giving.
I want to share nine principles of giving that is rooted in grace. These principles are drawn from 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 8-9. As you read, ask Holy Spirit to guide you and help discern your own giving so you too can excel unto generosity. When you ask, he will answer.
Principle #1: Giving should be systematic. (1 Cor. 16:2)
A Christian’s giving should be regular and planned, not a spur of the moment reaction without thought or intent. There are times when our giving is in direct response to a need that is revealed, but the foundation of our giving should not be done in this way. Giving is first and foremost an act of worship, deserving serious consideration and priority in our planning.
Principle #2: Giving should be proportionate. (1 Cor. 16:2)
A Christian’s giving should be in proportion to how one has been prospered. Some have said, “But I should give what I think I want to give.” Yes, you should give what you determine. But what you determine to give should be based in direct proportion to what you receive or earn, not based on what you feel or rationalize as sufficient. When your giving is not proportionate, you deny the true state of your financial situation before God. It is as if God gives you a Ferrari and you write him a thank you note for a Yugo. (Remember these?) Proportionate giving glorifies God as he has prospered you.
Principle #3: Giving should be sacrificial. (2 Cor. 8:1-2, 9)
Every Christian should make personal sacrifices, so they can give more to the Lord’s work. Sacrifice is measured differently by every person and even at different stages of life. This principle reminds us to consider God’s sacrifice on the cross as the defining motivation and final measure for our giving.
Principle #4: Giving should be generous. (2 Cor. 8:1-2)
This is the distinctive characteristic of giving beyond personal means. Generosity demonstrates a dependence upon Jesus by spirit and gift. In pastoring I have learned that generosity also means a readiness to give. These people will come to me on occasion and ask if there is a need they can meet. They are also those who will act in surprising ways to meet needs, and not always monetarily. I have found that when generous people are not giving financially, they are verbally through words of encouragement. When a person is generous it affects they way they do everything.
Principle #5: Giving should be intentional. (2 Cor. 9:7)
Christians giving should always be done with a plan because the giver wanted to give. There are so many causes beckoning for your money in this world, and most are not bad. Intentional giving means that an individual determines where they will give and how much they will give based on principle, priority, and planning. One may give to many causes, but giving is done in a manner that reflects the giver’s life and convictions.
Principle #6: Giving should be done out of love. (2 Cor. 8:8)
Our devotion is proved by our demonstration. People invest in what is loved most. Sometimes we must learn the ways of love in that which we are highly invested. Giving should be done in a way that desires to grow our love for godliness through the gospel. Genuine love will always look more like sacrifice than self-service. It is always a commitment of the will as much as it is an expression of emotion. Sometimes we feel this love and at other times it is a disciplining love. The heart is strengthened in both expressions to love as we have been loved through our giving.
Principle #7: Giving should be done cheerfully. (2 Cor. 9:7)
The attitude of the heart is important in giving. There should be a genuine sense of cheer in the opportunity to give. Cheerfulness is not based on what you are able to do but rather on that you desire to participate in giving. If one finds an absence of cheer in giving, it doesn’t mean they should stop giving. It does means they should seek to know why giving doesn’t come with greater joy. If you do not experience genuine cheerfulness in your attitude of giving, may I encourage you to simply ask God to show you why not? His answer will lead you to a deeper intimacy of understanding, experience, and trust in him. God gives exceeding joy in us when we give so our gifts are always bathed in compounding cheer.
Principle #8: Giving should be voluntary. (2 Cor. 9:7)
Giving should never be haphazard, coerced, manipulated, or done only because of condemnation or shame. These are not biblical motivations to give. When you give from these motivations you seek to justify yourself, appease God, or gain the approval of others through your giving. A Christian gives because of a desire God places within their heart. If you do not regularly experience this kind of desire, follow the counsel in the previous principle. Learn to fight for the whole promise of God in giving. Do not settle for drudgery or obligation in living the Christian life. Give because God has placed within you the desire to do so.
Principle #9: Christians should strive to excel in giving. (2 Cor. 8:7)
Christians should strive to excel and grow in their giving throughout their life. I encourage you to think of excelling in three ways. First, excel in the amount you give. As God prospers you, seek to increase the amount you give. This may be enabled through a new job, a promotion, raise, or bonus. It may occur annually or more or less frequently. It may also occur by one adjusting their personal living expenses so they can give more. However it is enabled, strive for excelling in this discipline of giving. Second, I encourage you to think of this in terms of overall percentage in giving. Percentage giving is the best way to measure proportion and overall giving. It is a commitment to keep your giving in step with your life resources. There are times when these must be adjusted, but strive to increase them for greater glory. The third way I encourage you to excel is through goal setting. A faithful businessman and passionate giver to the church taught me this. He sets giving goals every year that challenge him to excel in his giving. It is a daily reminder to him in his business that all his labor is for the Lord. I love a godly businessman who is radically committing all of life to Jesus.
Finally, every principle for application must be grace-dependent by God’s promise. (2 Cor. 9:8-9)
I encourage you to memorize this verse. It is one of the richest promises and most practical for application in all of scripture. When you are determining what you will give and want to trust and honor God, remember and recite this verse. When you have a need in your life and are unsure how God will provide, remember and recite this verse. God is able and he is faithful.
I pray you will experience the never-ending, ever-increasing faithfulness of God in your life every day as you strive to glorify him through stewarding your life treasure.
Pastor Lane