Okay, it’s time for some true confessions about your giving. Has your electronic donation at church every Sunday become a bit automatic? Or, perhaps you’re struggling financially right now, so you’ve reduced your giving and you’re feeling a bit guilty. Then again, perhaps decisions about how much and where to give are causing tension in your marriage, so you end up dreading those conversations.
There are so many ways our generosity can become stale and un-joyful. If that’s the case for you, it’s time for a renewed perspective, and we’re going to help you with that.
BIBLICAL GENEROSITY
Let’s begin by remembering that Christian generosity is different from the world’s idea of generosity. Giving that honors God is not about showing off, or improving our self-esteem, or even getting buildings named after us. Ultimately, Christian generosity is different because we serve a different master.
As it says in Ephesians 5:1, “…be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Because of love, Jesus gave his life on the cross for us, and we imitate him when we are radically, sacrificially, and joyfully generous.
Another thing to remember about giving is that sometimes the action needs to precede the feeling. In other words, even if you don’t feel joyful about giving sometimes, keep doing it anyway because generosity pleases the Lord. Ask Jesus to guide you as you give in faith, and the joy will come.
Here’s another way to renew your perspective on generosity: Cultivate a biblical attitude about your giving. God’s word says our giving should be secret, open-handed, cheerful, loving, and sacrificial. Let’s look at those attitudes more closely.
First, giving should be secret, not showy. That way, the glory goes to the Lord, not to the giver. Jesus admonishes his followers in Matthew 6 to “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. But when you give to the needy, do not let your right hand know what your left is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret.”
Second, giving should be open-handed, not stingy. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Remember, what we have is not our own. It all belongs to God, whether it’s time, talent, or treasure. So, we can always afford to be generous, because God is our provider.
Third, giving should be cheerful, not reluctant. The passage in Second Corinthians goes on to say “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Having a cheerful attitude about giving might be a challenge. You may have to ask God to change your heart in this area. Believe me, he will do that, because a cheerful attitude towards giving is his desire for you.
Fourth, giving should come from love, not obligation. Giving that glorifies God springs from love for God and our neighbor. That love isn’t something you can produce…it’s a work of the Holy Spirit in you.
Finally, giving should be sacrificial, not necessarily convenient. Sacrificial giving makes us more like Christ. Second Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Sacrificial giving is a testimony that we trust God to meet our needs while we meet the needs of others.
To recap here, giving that honors God and fills us with joy from the Holy Spirit will be secret, open-handed, cheerful, loving, and sacrificial. And believe me, there are spiritual benefits to cultivating these attitudes and actions. Most importantly, God gets the glory. John 3:21 says, “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
As Christ-followers, we long to be more and more like our Lord Jesus as we walk with him each day. But sometimes you may still find yourself giving with a reluctant spirit, or because you feel guilty, or out of a desire to earn the admiration of others. If that’s the case for you today, ask Jesus to change your heart. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you as you practice Christian generosity, knowing that God will provide for your needs and the needs of others through you.
On today’s program, Rob also answers listener questions:
- Will canceling credit cards adversely affect your credit?
- How should you go about combining IRAs?
- How do you best manage what happens with your finances upon your death?
- What is the best way to buy gold as an investment?
- What’s the best life insurance policy for a 72-year-old married person?
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network as well as American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.comwhere you can join the FaithFi Community, and give as we expand our outreach.
