The Heart of Giving

There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about giving to the Church. In fact, this particular issue has turned people away from Church. Because of that, we wanted to be clear about why we believe giving is so important in the life of a Christian. The heart of our understanding of giving is founded in the very Gospel message. In the Gospel, we find that God is a generous giver. The Gospel of John tells us that God gave His only Son (John 3:16). The book of Romans also tells us that “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

We serve a God who is exceedingly and infinitely generous, and God’s intention in working in our lives is to conform us to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). God’s work in our lives should give us a generous heart and overflow into a life of giving.

Principles of Giving

We also find key principles to guide our giving to the Church.

Giving Proportionately and Regularly

1 Corinthians 16:2

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

The call of the Scriptures is to give in reflection of our income, so those who make little give what they can, and those who have a larger income give what they can. In this way, they both live out generosity in support of the ministry of the Church.

Additionally we are instructed to regularly give. This discipline serves as a constant reminder of our need to be generous as well as the generosity God has shown us.

Giving Sacrificially

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given to the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

In this passage, we find the Macedonian Christians lifted up as an example of great generosity. These people gave sacrificially, even though they were in poverty. This kind of sacrificial giving is a direct reflection of the Gospel. God gave to us, at great cost to Himself, in order to draw us into relationship with Him. As we give sacrificially, we honor God.

Giving Joyfully

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The act of giving should be a joy for a Christian. In giving God allows us to partner with Him in the carrying out of His ministry. In this way we are allowed to be a part of God’s work and able to celebrate with great joy when God uses our gifts for His glory.