The culture in which we live today places a high priority on money and how it is to be used. Those who have lots of it want not only to use it well, but to keep as much as they can for future needs and/or emergencies. Those who have little of it want more of it. The attitude Christians have toward money, and the way we should use it, requires that we manage it in a way that our needs and those of our family will be met.
In fact, the Bible denounces as a hypocrite any professing Christian who fails to care for the physical needs of his family because of financial irresponsibility, slothful mismanagement, or waste. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family,” 1 Timothy 5:8 states firmly, “he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” That is straight talk. So, the decision as to how we use our money – for ourselves, for others, and especially for the sake of God’s Kingdom – is a spiritual issue. It is not always looked upon as a spiritual issue.
Why is a biblically defined use of money and resources so crucial to a Christian’s spiritual growth? For one thing, it is a case of being obedient to God. A surprisingly large amount of Scripture deals with the use of monetary wealth and possessions. If we ignore these passages, or take them lightly, it will hinder our spiritual growth. Here are some New Testament principles concerning giving:
God Owns Everything. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:11). And we read in Job 41:11, “Everything under heaven belongs to me.” The New Testament does not revoke the truth in these verses. God is owner, and we are managers or, to use the biblical word, stewards. A steward is required to give an account of his faithfulness to the One who, as Creator, is owner of all things. We often speak of “my house” or “my land”, but we are only stewards.
Giving is an Act of Worship. The apostle Paul calls the financial gift the Christians in the Grecian city of Philippi sent to him by Epaphroditus, “A fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). In other words, Paul says that their act of giving to the work of God was an act of worshiping God. Have you ever thought of giving as an act of worship? What you give of yourself and of your means to God as an act of worship is the only wealth you will be able to take with you to heaven. Everything else that you own will be left behind when you die. Every bit of it!
Giving should be Sacrificial and Generous. The widow whom Jesus commended is one illustration that giving to God is not just for those who, as the world would put it, can “afford it.” She gave all that she had. Many of us need to be reminded that giving isn’t sacrificial unless it is a sacrifice. A Gallop poll in the past showed that the more money Americans make, the less sacrificial their giving becomes.
Giving should be an Expression of Love. It should not call attention to itself. It should not be done for recognition or because of a legalistic requirement. Dr. Billy Graham once told of receiving a letter that declared, “I admire you a lot. And I want to help you in your exemplary crusade; and so you’ll find enclosed, my check for $500. The reason it is not signed is that I prefer to remain anonymous.” The gift, in fact, was much too anonymous — so anonymous, in fact, that Dr. Graham could not cash the check and apply it to his ministry.
Giving should be Willingly, Thankfully, and Cheerfully. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God does not want anyone to give with a grudge – that is, you give but you don’t want to – resentfully, with a heart that isn’t right no matter how much you give. God is not a celestial landlord stretching out a greedy, outstretched palm, demanding His due. He wants us to give because we willingly choose to give. Grudge giving says, “I have to”; duty giving says, “I ought to”; thanksgiving says “I want to”. God wants every giver to enjoy giving.
Giving should be Planned and Systematic. “Now concerning the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 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” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
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