“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 9:7)
God wants His people to be givers. Giving enables us to build character, bless others, and give God first place in our lives. It also helps us avoid the traps of greed and materialism.
What does the Bible teach about giving?
Why We Give
First, all that we have is not our own. Instead, it is on loan from God. When Solomon dedicated the temple, he prayed, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:14, emphasis added)
God has given each of us material possessions, time, talents, and health. We are responsible to carefully manage these things for the good of others and the advancement of God’s kingdom. In our prison ministries, we want to do exactly that. Giving is just one aspect of wise management, but it is an essential one.
What to Give
In the Old Testament, God taught His people to give a tithe, or 10% of their income. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.” (Leviticus 27:30) Believers today can apply this by giving 10% of their income to their local churches, such as our church in Prince Albert.
A titheis a specified percentage of your income, but an offeringis giving above that percentage. It may be giving extra to your church, donating to ministries (such as our prison ministries), or helping out a friend or neighbour in need.
We also believe that the Bible teaches us to give to missions. You may not be able to go to Africa, Asia, or Australia, but you can support missionaries with both your prayers and your giving. When we support those who are taking the gospel around the world, we get to help fulfill the Great Commission.
When to Give
When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he instructed them to set aside a certain portion every week to give to God’s work (1 Corinthians 16:2). To stay organized with your tithing, just calculate 10% of your weekly income and give that amount every week.
It’s also smart to set aside a little extra in your budget each month, so that you have the flexibility to give spontaneously. When God shows you a need in someone’s life, and you have the ability to meet that need, go for it! Giving—both to others and to God’s work—can bring you a lot of joy!
God’s Reward for Giving
In Luke 6:38, God promises an amazing reward for those who give.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
The truth is that you just can’t out-give God. No matter how much you offer, He’ll always give back more. Let’s embrace God’s design for giving and be cheerful givers!
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