Financial Management

Biblical Principles of Generosity

1. Giving Should Be In Significant Proportions.
   • The guideline of the tithe - In the Old Testament, believers were required to give a tenthof their income to the support of the ministry and the needs of the poor. The NewTestament does not specifically mention the tithe, but since we are far more blessed byGod than Old Testament believers, we assume that we are held moreresponsible for generosity, not less. Thus the tithe (10%) annual gift of income is a kind ofminimum guideline for giving.
   • The guideline of sacrifice - Paul says about the Macedonians, “they gave as much asthey were able and even beyond their ability” (II Corinthians 8:3). That means they gaveuntil it hurt; until it meant a sacrifice in their lifestyle and then some.
   • The guideline of responsibility - Christians are also to give “according to their ability” (Acts11:29). There are seasons to economic life. And there are economic responsibilities toour families and to our debts. In many cases, good planning over time will be necessaryto move our giving into Biblical proportions without reneging on legal and personalfinancial obligations.


2. Giving Should Be A Joyful Response To God's Grace.
   • Paul asked for money this way: “I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity ofyour love for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, hebecame poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.” (II Corinthians 8:8-9).What a test! Paul says that the difference between moralists (those who think God acceptsthem for their good works) and Christians (those who know they are sinners saved purelythrough grace) is that a Christian wants to give as generously as he or she received. Putstarkly: You always give effortlessly to those things that give your life meaning, to yourfunctional saviors, to your bottom-line “gods." Thus, "giving sacrificially" somehow becomes "giving joyfully."


3. Giving Should Be Systematic And Thoughtful.
   • Paul directed Corinthians to set aside a portion of their wealth each week until he could comeand take it to famine victims in Palestine (I Corinthians 8:10-11). Usually “spontaneous” andunplanned giving, while perhaps joyful (principle #2) is not proportionate (principle #1). Theactual tally of completely spontaneous giving usually shows little sacrifice involved. We mustplan. We must allow the church to help with reminders and directions.


4. Simple giving plan:
• Evaluate your own heart with regard to money.
  What do you most enjoy spending money on?
  What percentage of your incomeis going to: a) God’s causes (church, Christian ministries), and b) to people inneed (Outside your family). How close is it to 10% of your income?
  ReadMatthew 6:19-34; I Timothy 6:6-10; II Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15. Do you need toadjust your giving in light of eternal values?
• Evaluate the use of your “non-liquid” resources.
• Do you have a regular plan of giving? If not, then follow these three steps (families should do this together):
  
  1. Decide what percentage of your income you will give to theLord's work this year.
     
  2. Now ask two questions: Is this a sacrificial figure? Onthe other hand, is it a responsible figure?
     
  3. Now set aside the Lord’s portion firstwhenever the money is received. It is his, not yours.
• Prayerfully distribute the money among Christian causes as you see fit.Remember — the more you trust God with your material treasure, the more hewill entrust you with his spiritual treasure (Luke 16:9-12; II Corinthians 9:10-12).