Giving is About our Hearts, not our Money
Editor’s note:
When you’re getting established, you typically make decisions that will chart the trajectory for the rest of your adult life. One of the most critical decisions you will face is how you and your family will handle money. As believers, we are called to steward God’s resources in ways that honor Him and fulfill His purposes. If we truly believe all we have is His, that truth should be reflected in how we manage our finances. When we give, we are not to do so out of Christian duty or obligation but out of a deep and genuine desire for our hearts to align with His. In a recent blog post, Ron Blue shares his perspective on how giving has more to do with our hearts than our money.
God Doesn't Need Our Money
Don’t ever forget that God does not need our money. The church does not need our money. When God asks us to be generous and to tithe, He does it so that we have the privilege of participating in the Kingdom work that is going on around us. Tithing reminds us of God’s provision. It reminds us, too, of the power of the body of Christ. God uses the small tithes of many to empower great things in His church universal. We have the gift of being a small voice in the magnificent chorus.
Laying Down Pride for Christ's Calling
As humans, we are always tempted by pride. We want to believe we are more significant, powerful, or influential than we are. The irony of following Christ is that we lay down our rights only to gain His calling, His righteousness, and His indwelling power. An amazing exchange! But, God can do all things without us. He does not need our money. He wants our hearts.
The Church is Built on Christ
I’d like to remind you of a point that comes from Jesus’ conversation with Peter in Matthew 16, which went like this, “’But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’” (verses 15 – 18, NIV)
The point is this: the church is built on the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is not built on our money, our time, our ideas, our small groups, our worship sets, or our theological debates. The church is the bride of Christ. When Jesus tells Peter that the gates of Hades will not overcome the church, He is saying that the church is strong because of the fact that it is built on Jesus Christ. He does not say that the church is strong because its members are strong or even generous. God is committed to building His church on the foundational Truth of who Jesus Christ is. I pray that you find it a huge blessing to add your financial resources to the work that He is doing in the world through His church!
May God’s peace encourage you as you pursue financial wisdom and depend on His Truth!
Faith & Finance Perspective:
When you give to the church or other ministries, it should never be out of obligation, but out of the desire to participate in Kingdom work. Big or small, God can multiply our gifts in mighty ways, and we are privileged to be contributors. As you’re getting established and forming your posture towards giving, take a long, honest look at the motivation behind your generosity. Are you giving for the reasons God intended?
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
– 2 Corinthians 9:7-8