3. GIVE AS YOU HAVE PROSPERED.  Many people give, but do we give ‘enough?'  Some will tell us we are required by God to give a tenth (tithe).  But, this is a requirement of the Old Testament law which was nailed to the cross (Galatians 3:23-25; 5:4).  However, we are to learn valuable principles from the law (Romans 15:4).  While God does not specify a requirement to give 10% in the New Testament, do you think He expects less?  The New Testament teaches us to give as we "prosper" (I Corinthians 16:2).  Does that mean we should give every dollar we ‘prosper'?  Of course not.  But, we should give a portion of all we receive.  We should make up contributions when we go on vacation.  It is really an issue of thankfulness.  The reason we may not give as we should may be because we do not sufficiently appreciate what we have been given.  We do not see that vacation as a gift from God.  We often see those things as what we have earned, and always look for more and more of what we call ‘success.'  David gives us a great lesson about this.  After he and the people had given graciously and generously for the building of the temple, he said to God, "who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You" (I Chronicles 29:14).  He realized that it wasn't his money, it was God's.  If we learn to appreciate what we have as being from God, and stop thinking we must have more or we deserve what we have, it will be so much easier to give as we ‘have prospered.'  It's easier to give someone what is theirs than to give them what is ours.  Do you appreciate what God has entrusted to you?  Does it show in what you give?

4. GIVE TO GOD FIRST.  Why do we run out of money to give our contributions?  Why do we neglect to give when we are out of town or on vacation?  Why do we look in our wallets on Sunday mornings and realize we don't have enough left to give to God as we know we should?  It's because we didn't start with God.  God has never been satisfied with the leftovers or second best.  It is no different in our giving.  When we leave God until last in our giving, it generally means we have left God to last in our hearts.  Again, there may be some extenuating circumstances, but are they our fault or God's ‘fault'?  We can always find a bill to be paid, or something that needs repaired, or something we need (or want) to do that will take a bite out of our contribution.  But, we must ask, "Is this what GOD wants me to do?"  He has promised (Matthew 6) to provide us with our needs as long as we are willing to work for them (II Thessalonians 3:10-12).  So, why do we not trust God enough to give to Him ‘off the top.'  I Corinthians 15:20 reminds us that Christ was given to us ‘off the top' (the firstfruits).  If God can give us the most important and most valuable gift of all time, why do we think we cannot ‘afford' to give to Him of the firstfruits of the materials goods that belong to Him anyway.  If you are going to put God first in your life, shouldn't that also include your giving?

5. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS.  The reasons we should give and should give a sufficient amount ‘as we have prospered' are theological.  That is, God has taught us what to give, how to give, and why to give.  He expects it of us as His children.  But, there are a few practical considerations that may help us in doing what God expects us to do that are worthy of consideration:
    a. Remember the budget needs of the local congregation.  Make up contributions when you are out of town.   Don't cut back on your giving in order to have things you want but do not need.  When you ‘take' from God what you should be giving to Him, you also take from the resources needed to do the work of His church more effectively.  The elders or other church leaders may not always use the money as you think they should.  If they use it inappropriately, you may need to go to them personally about it.  There may even be some extreme cases where we may need to re-direct our giving (not withhold it) until a matter of a sinful nature is corrected.  But, these are rare cases.  Never use your money for political purposes to influence the budgeting of the church.  That would be selfish and greedy.  Instead, trust the elders and other leaders with God's money.  He has entrusted them with it.  The needs of the local church continue, even if you fail to give as you should.
 
    b. Prepare your ‘gift' in advance.  I Corinthians 16:2 teaches that giving should not be an afterthought.  But, it is also practical advice.  It helps us have more of a heart of giving, and keeps us from writing checks and digging in our wallets during the Lord's Supper or other times of worship.  Sure, sometimes we forget (though we should not neglect the Lord's Supper remembrance to prepare our giving).  As much as possible, prepare your gift when you get paid, before church services, and ‘lay by in store' for the giving opportunity on Sunday.
 
    c. Give from ALL our increase.  That should include things like tax refunds, extra vacation pay, and employee bonuses.  These would all be areas in which we have prospered.  Do not be content with giving as little as we can get by with.   Giving to God is not like buying a car.  There is no negotiation process to ‘get the best deal.'  It is not the amount that God is concerned with, but the heart that is shown by the amount we give.  Do not be afraid to give as you should just because the economy is low and you MAY have a reduction in income.  If you reduce your giving because of what you think may happen, God may see to it that it does.  Instead, give to Him in faith, and whatever happens, He'll take care of you as He promises.

     d. Make it a priority.  Learn to love the opportunity to give.  Appreciate the fact that whatever amount you have to give, you are glad you can give it.  Again, put God first in our hearts, and it will be easier to put Him first in our giving.

     e. Make it a commitment.  Some congregations ask for yearly commitments to help with budgeting.  This may be helpful, but we must remember that our ultimate commitment is to God.  Decide right now how much you should be giving, and pray to God a prayer of commitment to give it to Him all year long.  Though we put it in the church collection plate, we are really putting it in the hands of God.  He has committed it to our trust.  Should we not live up to that commitment by committing to Him to give with a cheerful heart and as we have prospered?   Do not rob God!!! 

Copyright © 2003-James C. Guy – All rights reserved.
*Permission granted to reprint for church or ministry use in free material (i.e. church bulletins, classes, sermons, etc.)