What The Bible Says About Giving

The subject of Bible giving has become one of  the most controversial topics in our society, including the church. It is surprising because while it is a dutiful thing we do, it should be out of the abundance of  love and gratitude in our hearts.

Also, some people are genuinely confused  about  the  topic. “How should I give? Should I give all of my money to God? 10%? 20%? Or none at all. I mean, God doesn’t need my money, I have given Him my heart.”

To an extent that is true. God doesn’t exactly need your money but how you spend your money shows if your whole heart is truly for God. At  the  heart  of  why we give should be  honor for God and His word, love for His people.

So what does Bible giving focuses on…

1. It focuses on the needy

As a believer, it is important that we realize the need to give to the less privileged around us. You must develop a heart of compassion for those who do not have the means to cater for themselves in society. 

This is an example we saw in the life of Jesus, during his earthly ministry. In the two recorded instances where he miraculously fed people, it was borne out of compassion for them. 

Furthermore, the scriptures instructs that we give priority to the needy within our Christian circles (Galatians 6:10). We must look out and assist those in need within our local assembly, because the scriptures teaches us to prioritize believers. 

As a believer, it is important that we realize the need to give to the less privileged around us. You must develop a heart of compassion for those who do not have the means to cater for themselves in society.  Click To Tweet

You cannot claim to truly love the head of the body (Jesus) without loving His body (which you are also part of). Hence, every believer must see giving to other believers in need as a priority.

2. Bible giving is towards the spread of the gospel

Jesus left us with a great commission to reach the whole world with the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). Anyone who ponders hard enough about the great commission would come to the conclusion that it is very audacious. We are not sent to reach some men, but rather we are sent to reach all men with the message of the gospel. 

To achieve an agenda of such great magnitude, we must employ every resource at our disposal. This is why we give to mission minded causes. We do it with a sense of urgency, knowing how important it is for the gospel to spread. Those in the early church understood this and that is why we have records of people selling their possessions for the work of ministry Acts 4:36-37. 

Anyone who ponders hard enough about the great commission would come to the conclusion that it is very audacious. To achieve an agenda of such great magnitude, we must employ every resource at our disposal. Click To Tweet

We can also take a cue from the Macedonian church,who Paul commended for their act of generosity despite their meager financial status. (2 Cor 8 and 9)

3. It instructs us give to our ministry gifts

Although this is fast becoming an unpopular opinion today, the Bible instructs giving to our ministry gifts (Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, Apostles, Teacher). In fact, Apostle Paul spent a large portion of 1 Corinthians 9 to explain the responsibility of the church to cater for his needs as their ministry gift.

The Bible instructs giving to our ministry gifts (Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, Apostles, Teacher). Click To Tweet

The words of the Apostle are still true today.  It is a mark spiritual responsibility for a church to be forward about giving towards their ministry gifts. The person who feeds you with the word and takes care of your spiritual needs has a right to benefit from you materially (Galatians 6:8). Make sure to remember your ministry gifts as you draw up your giving budget.

3. It caters to parental needs

In Exodus 20:12, the Bible instructs us to honor our parents (or parental figures in lieu of biological parents). If you really claim to honor your parents, then you should plan to give to them as often as you can.

Final thoughts on giving…

Christian giving is meant to be done in love and gratitude. The motive is as important as what you do. Many have been taught to see Christian giving as a transaction (give to receive, sow up to go up, tithe so that thing would not be tight). But one should understand that the example we see of giving is God, who clearly gave us His best gift (Jesus Christ) without requesting anything in return. 

Christian giving is meant to be done in love and gratitude. The motive is as important as what you do. Click To Tweet

This changes our mindset towards giving and teaches us that giving should be done sacrificially, without any expectations of rewards. Also, giving should be done from a place of gratitude, acknowledging that all that we have is truly given to us by God. Freely as we have been given we must freely give to others.

Did you enjoy this article? You can also read “4 Things to Take to Church”