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Fourthly, giving acknowledges that God is the owner of our possessions. We are stewards, not owners, and therefore are accountable to God for how we manage what He has given us. Giving helps keep us mindful of this steward/owner relationship.
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein (Psalm 24:1 NKJV).
Aside from these God-focused reasons, giving also carries benefits for others as well as ourselves. Giving enables us to be God’s instruments for blessing others and meeting their needs.
In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive (Acts 20:35 AMP).
Finally, giving opens the doors of God’s blessings into our own lives.
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor (Proverbs 22:9 NIV).
How Should We Give?
Our giving, first of all, should be balanced. The resources available to us include more than just money. We must find the proper balance between giving our money, our time, and our assets. There are times certainly when God wants us to give our money, but sometimes He wants us to give our time. On other occasions He may want us to give of our material possessions, of which most of us already have an overabundance.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3 NIV).
In addition to balance, our giving should be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If we wait patiently for Him, God will always direct us where, what, and when to give.
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17 NKJV).
Before giving large sums of money, committing sizable chunks of time, or parting with major assets, it is vitally important that spouses be in agreement with one another. Financial matters cause more marital problems and conflict than any other single issue. For this reason, married couples should take time to pray and discuss matters together before making a sizable gift.
Giving that honors God is more about attitude than amount. Whatever we give, and however much or little we give, we should give cheerfully.
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving] (2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP).
Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly (1 Chronicles 29:9 NKJV).
To Whom Should We Give?
This is a valid question because of the enormous number of people, groups, institutions, and ministries that are always clamoring for our support. Some of them are worthy; many of them are not. We must exercise careful and prayerful discernment in deciding where to invest our gifts. Nevertheless, the Bible reveals three areas that should always take priority as targets of our giving.
Churches and other godly organizations. It is important that we give to where God directs us to give. In Malachi 3:8-10, the Lord commands us to “bring all the tithes into the storehouse” (NKJV). Give according to how God directs you. I believe that if you give, not only will others be blessed because of your giving, but you, too, may go to a “storehouse” when times are hard and find provision.
Mission agencies. We need to become world Christians, realizing that our giving to mission work is building the Kingdom of God and making it possible for the light of the Gospel to expose the works of darkness. In Haggai 1:7–2:9, the Lord says to build His house first, then He will bless the people.
Make sure that the money you give to missions is actually getting to the mission field rather than being used to cover excessive administrative costs or support extravagant lifestyles of the leaders of the organization. Is the mission organization to which you are giving preaching the Word and actually building God’s Kingdom, or is it social-minded? Do some research before you give. Agencies with nothing to hide will hide nothing. They will be transparent in accounting for their use of the gifts they receive.
Those in need. Needy people are all around us. All we have to do is look. The needs are far too numerous for any of us to meet them all, so we must ask God to show us the specific needs He wants us to target.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given (Proverbs 19:17 NKJV).
The Kingdom of God is the opposite of the world’s system. As described in the verses above, we increase by decreasing. Kenneth Copeland teaches people who are in debt to begin to give to those around them who are in need. By giving to others, we become channels of God’s blessing to others.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV).
What Happens When We Do Not Give?
When we do not give, we cease to become a channel through which God can pour His blessings.
He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses (Proverbs 28:27 NKJV).
When we make little or no effort to help others, we subsequently become even more calloused to their needs.
But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity) (1 John 3:17-18 AMP).
Ignoring the needs of others will hinder our own prayers from being answered.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard (Proverbs 21:13 NKJV).
More Scripture on Giving
Take heed not to forsake or neglect the Levite [God’s minister] as long as you live in your land (Deuteronomy 12:19 AMP).
Tithing
Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth of your income as an offering to God. Paying a tithe was commonly practiced throughout the nations of the ancient world. Abram
