Giving Tests the Heart

Talking about giving makes us feel tense. But to see others give, warms our hearts because we know it’s better to give than to receive. Then why are we so reluctant to give of our own money?

Stewardship of Money is a Mirror

Money is the one area of our life where we can clearly see our own selfishness, lack of faith, and covetousness. We can become so consumed with the value of money in our own lives that we become overly critical of how others use what we’ve worked so hard to attain. From the beginning of their relationship with God, the Israelites, God’s chosen people were commanded to give. You would think the provision of God and his protections would have freely led them to give in excess, but the truth of the matter is that even with his presence in their journey to the promised land, God’s chosen people saw all that they had as their own. If Israel struggled with giving freely it’s no surprise that we struggle as well.

In the Old Testament the people were commanded to give a portion of their belongings back to God through an offering of one tenth of everything they owned. This 10% was considered a sanctifying work, making them holy to the Lord. When the Israelites didn’t give it was considered robbing God.

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

Malachi 3:8

It’s one thing to say you trust God, but giving back to him before you meet your needs is a test of true obedience. Now under grace we are no longer commanded to give but encouraged to give. I believe there is still a real measure of faith associated with our gifts to the Lord. I want to challenge you to not convince yourself that it is pleasing to God to hoard for yourself, wants and needs, while settling in giving to God pennies and leftovers. Challenge yourself to consider the needs of the church and others around you, before you satisfy your wishes and desires.

The Never Ending Wishlist

The truth of the matter is our wish list is long. If we live our lives only focused on what we want we will always find a reason not to give to God and to those around us. Don’t see this as a long term action plan. You can start today.

Here are practical ways that you can give back to the Lord:

Support your local church so the gospel can go forth to your community
Give to gospel ministries so the gospel can go forth to the world
Resource those in need so they can glorify God through your care and concern
Volunteer your time and talents to a local ministry, loving God’s church and seeking God’s glory

Our giving starts as an act of obedience to God. Trust that God will take your act of faith and grow it into a desire to do more for his kingdom.