Money, money, money, money?

Most of us grew up hearing about the 10% rule when it came to tithing or giving offering at church. When I was younger I remember every week I dropped a quarter or two into the KFC bucket now being used as a offering bucket. As I got older, I still tried to adhere to the 10% rule and started putting in dollar bills, then $5, $10, $20 etc. Where does that 10% come from? Maybe from Leviticus 27:32 which says, “And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy unto the LORD.” Definitely a starting place for us, but how does the New Testament expand on the idea of giving to the LORD?

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

I want to unpack for us a few questions concerning giving. So get ready for a mini-sermon, then reflect on how to apply this to your life.

What do we give?
I think the simple answer would be money, but I believe its more than that. Paul says in 2 Cor 9:6 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” God is calling to give to Him from the resources that He has so richly blessed us with. This does mean our finances, but also includes other things God has blessed us with. Our time, our homes, our gifts and abilities. To neglect to give in any of these areas to God and His work would be selfish of us. That being said, I do think that in our culture, money is the most difficult thing for us to give, even though in comparison to much of the world, we have an extreme abundance of it.

Why do we give?
Paul unpacks for us the two major reasons that we give. 2 Cor 9:12 says, “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” We give to support God’s people, both those in ministry, but also those in need. This is how the body of Christ cares for one another. But our offering a sacrifice to God is also an expression of thankfulness to Him for all that he does for us. How can we acknowledge that God is our provider and not respond in thanksgiving?

Who do we give to?
God calls us to give to the Church. Giving to the local church is our way of giving to the local body of believers. From there, our gifts go to support different people, like the pastors and church staff. This is a biblical concept Paul lays out for the church to do in Galatians 6:6. “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” But giving to the local church ought to also be a way of giving to those in need, since churches should be actively meeting needs within its community. But giving is not limited to the local church. We are called to give to the Church. This means we are to take part in the work of the Kingdom around the world. All the reasons we support pastors and give in the local church can be applied to the mission field as well, whether at home or abroad.

How do we give?
This isn’t a question of “check or cash?” but rather, how should our hearts be when we give? 2 Cor 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God doesn’t want to give because we feel obligated, but to give out of the generosity that is a reflection of His generosity. 2 Cor 9:8 also reminds us, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” God continues to bless and sustain and provide for us, so that we can be generous with what He’s given us.