Historically, giving has been one of the most feared and misunderstood concepts dealt with by the body of Christ. Many have had a tendency to shy away from the subject because it makes them uncomfortable. Believers automatically accept the word of God concerning other areas of life but can freeze up when someone mentions the financial realm. Money is a powerful tool we can use to advance God’s kingdom, so we must understand how the devil tries to use it against us.
Jesus knew money has the potential to be a major stumbling block for us, which is why there’s so much written about it in the Bible. If we’re not careful, we can assign more importance to it than to God himself. But for Christians with strong faith, giving is a reflex action that demonstrates our thankfulness and gratitude for what he has done. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We can never out-give God!
For some of us, there’s great temptation to hold back when we sense God encouraging us to give. Money can have such a stronghold on our comfort level that we can rationalize about why we can’t give. Trusting in the promises he made to us in this area overcomes the fear of having nothing left over after we give generously. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38, NIV).
Our God is a God of abundance, and when he blesses us financially, he expects us to use what we receive to help others in need. Having more faith in him than in earthly currency helps us to maintain a proper perspective on money, and it keeps us from becoming self-centred. Sowing into others’ lives meets their needs, and empowers us to perform above our natural abilities.
We make a mistake when we assume that God is so spiritual that he doesn’t care about money. Jesus had a great deal to say about it. Financial giving isn’t just about money, but about our trust in God’s ability and willingness to provide for us. Jesus made that point when he observed the poor widow putting everything she had into the treasury (Mark 12:41-44).
The unchangeable spiritual law that says we reap in proportion to what we sow gives us the authority to determine our own financial return. God doesn’t knock us over the head and demand that we give, but he does remind us of how much it means to him. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7). Our attitude toward giving is important.
There’s no need to be afraid to give. Being a Christian is all about going above and beyond our comfort zone. Ordinary money takes on supernatural power when entrusted to the one who can multiply it for the good of others.