Peace In Giving

Read Time:

17–26 minutes

Giving Is Not a Matter of “Should”

The concept of tithing was easily taught and received growing up in the church. The church attendees give 10% as a first-fruit donation to God as a statement that He gave us all that we have and as a matter of worship and faithfulness with what He has given us. The church receives the 10%, because just like the Levites in the Law of Moses, they are the priests that maintain God’s house and deserve to be rewarded for their work. The referenced scripture is in Leviticus 27:30.

The occasional Sunday service would remind us that tithing is biblical and required as a statement of our faith and at times would say that breakthrough is waiting on the other side of giving. Churches would put up their financial goals for new buildings and needs and everyone would share in the burden of realizing the agenda of the church leadership. This cannot be accurately applied to all assemblies, just that it was a typical experience for those attending church in the mid-west over at least the past 20 years.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” And who doesn’t want to be loved by God? Who, who loves God and seeks to be faithful to Him, would deny Him what is due Him? Especially when we are so privileged to live in America and likely be in the top 5% of the world with the average American household income.

But… 10% of pre-tax or post-tax income? Does that include tips? If it is first fruits on everything what about the monetary value of gifts I’ve received? What about IRS tax refunds, because technically that is just a refund of income you already tithed on. What if you aren’t actively a part of a church community, because you recently moved, are transitioning in life, or found that the churches around you are not constructive to your spiritual growth? Are you able to take a get-out-of-jail-free card and make out like a bandit, or are you supposed to put that 10% of money away to dump upon the next church you attend with interest? What if I am heavily burdened by student loans and taking 10% of my income takes away the ability to get ahead of the minimum monthly payment? What if my financial situation is pretty poor right now and taking 10% from the top puts me in the red to little or no savings?

And then, what about giving on top of that 10%? I’ve already given to God what is His, so that satisfies my obligation to give to those around me and I can plan with the rest of it as my money the way I see fitting, right?

This is not to mock, these are incredibly valid questions that are asked if the concept of tithing is taken seriously.

Reality – the majority of the body does not tithe, and less tithe consistently or exactly. As a result, they are left in dissonance and with an overhang of guilt for not ponying up their share. Whatever the reason, whether it is because the financial situation seems sparse or something doesn’t seem right with the concept, they are put at odds with the well-known teaching. So the real destruction comes in when they attempt make themselves feel better about their guilt, knowing that God will forgive them or “understand” their situation. “I’m just human.”

Oof… this is such a broken view of who we are, and the result just adds to the bondage of what is a free people and provides an invitation to live in dissonance with other principles in their life, justifying themselves with the same mentality and leading to a lack of integrity, because now it is pick and choose. When it never was.

What has always been fashioned as a source of joy, freedom and confidence in faith, often operates in an old-covenant performance obligation that is just another burden on the free people of God.

Break the Thought of Owing the Church

The matter is simple: Tithing is an old-covenant practice, issued by the Law of Moses and fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ. The requirement to give to God is not relevant to those who have risen again in Christ Jesus. Like every other part of the Law…

In his series of Theses, written in 1517 against the order of the Catholic Church, Martin Luther argued that Christians are to be taught that donations to the church should be a matter of free choice, not commanded (#47), that if they pass a man in need and instead donate to the church they invite God’s wrath (#45), and unless they have more than they need, they must reserve enough for their family needs and by no means squander it on indulgences (#46).

Luther rebuked the corruption and abuse of influence over the hearts and minds of God’s people, to the gain of the church which would have been the gain to the priests who urged the people to give. A stark conflict of interest.

He doesn’t care what is in our bank account, and He doesn’t need our money. The church and the Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t run on the tithes of the people, but on the storehouses of God. Yes, we ought to give, but in what context? In a context in which we deem suitable, good, and/or convicted to because Holy Spirit is leading us to for either the recipients sake, or our sake. And hey, if it’s His money anyways, there is no problem. And if we were promised to always be taken care of, then we will be won’t we?

New Testament Guidance:

The early church in Acts gave according to their need, and many gave willingly because they saw a need (Acts 4:32).
The church in Corinth gave generously for the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem because there was a famine, which inspired the church in Macedonia to give (2 Corinthians 8, 9).
Paul wrote, “Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share [fn]from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. But I have used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make my boast an empty one!” (1 Corinthians 9:13-15).

So when did the need to support those who preach the gospel turn into the assembly needs to meet the financial needs for the organization of the church, decided by the administration of the church? The organization of the church is benefitted by giving and there are plenty of actual reasons to give. But not every church needs a bigger building, not every assembly needs a bigger budget. Might it be considered that leaner operations provide focus and produce more with less. Because the same principle applies for those who lead, God is the one who moves and provides, if He truly is the leader of the assembly. I say this with humility and respect for every single pastor and leader of a church assembly.

It would be one thing to critique every line-by-line item and have a democratic vote for the P&L for every church year. No, the administration of the church administers the church. But can the church be upset with the congregation if they don’t produce enough to meet the needs for a new sound system? Can the church then, on biblical authority, require contribution to its project agendas?

As Jesus said to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

This entire spirit is centered around supporting our beloved brothers and sisters and lending a hand, supporting each other’s success. For the success of our brothers and sisters is the success of our own, for it is the Kingdom of Heaven that grows.

God isn’t more pleased with us because we give more often. It is not true to say that we aren’t walking in the fullness of heaven on earth because we haven’t given away every penny.

There is No “Mine” and “His”

In giving to God what is God’s, we are setting up a second flaw, which is to consider the remaining part as ours. This invites an inherent conflict when we are given opportunity or are lead by God to give generously in a moment, because He has no right to the rest because I gave Him His…

That’s where it goes wrong. For he who is consumed by the love of God, has absolutely no need or distinction with God’s/mine, for it is all His, and none is mine. Regarding the church in Macedonia, Paul wrote:

For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, [they gave] voluntarily, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and [this,] not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)

Everything laid down, at the the cross. For the love of God completes me and makes me content. If I am made content in Him, then I have no attachment to anything from Him do I? And particularly, not anything from the world. Isn’t that the contentment from Job amidst his tragedy?

Everything that I am, all that I have is always laid down at His feet, for I seek nothing to interfere with my relationship with Him. Not that He needs what is mine, but that nothing that I have is to stand in the way of being made completely reliant and dependent on Him to be satisfied in all things. For He is greater, and I only want more.

In that way, I have counted the cost. Though I have wealth, I have laid it all down before Jesus and handed it over to Him, to where I now just steward all that I have, for it is His. And if He asks for all of it to be given or shared, done. It’s His, and I love Him. Not that I walk in expectation of the ask, but it has already been counted. I will not withhold from Him, when He has given me everything.

“What can it profit the soul that the body should be in good condition, free, and full of life; that it should eat, drink, and act according to its pleasure; when even the most impious slaves of every kind of vice are prosperous in these matters? Again, what harm can ill-health, bondage, hunger, thirst, or any other outward evil, do to the soul, when even the most pious of men and the freest in the purity of their conscience, are harassed by these things? Neither of these states of things has to do with the liberty or the slavery of the soul.
And so it will profit nothing that the body should be adorned with sacred vestments, or dwell in holy places, or be occupied in sacred offices, or pray, fast, and abstain from certain meats, or do whatever works can be done through the body and in the body. Something widely different will be necessary for the justification and liberty of the soul, since the things I have spoken of can be done by any impious person, and only hypocrites are produced by devotion to these things. On the other hand, it will not at all injure the soul that the body should be clothed in profane raiment, should dwell in profane places, should eat and drink in the ordinary fashion, should not pray aloud, and should leave undone all the things above mentioned, which may be done by hypocrites.
And, to cast everything aside, even speculation, meditations, and whatever things can be performed by the exertions of the soul itself, are of no profit. One thing, and one alone, is necessary for life, justification, and Christian liberty; and that is the most holy word of God, the Gospel of Christ, as He says, “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me shall not die eternally” (John xi. 25), and also, “If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John viii. 36), and, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. iv. 4).“
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian Liberty

Luther isn’t referring to merely reading the Scriptures. He is referring to the revelation of the love of God and the active presence of it nourishing the soul, daily, hourly. As C.S. Lewis is noted for saying, “He who has God and everything else, has no more than He who has God only.”

For he who hasn’t encountered the love of God that is sufficient for all, is invited to taste and see for himself.

Give Or Don’t Give, But Be Free!

To those who have and want to give, give! May from the overflow of your blessing, be a blessing as you feel moved. It will be to your benefit and those to which you give. Only consider what you are a slave to, and make sure you are living free from fear. Giving isn’t about the giver. We already walk with all the blessings of Christ, so what more could we add to that plate? Especially for those who have, it is key to examine whether this is about you or them and if giving would be altogether good or not. Just because there is a need, doesn’t mean we are to fill it. Let us not create dependency in our giving.

To those who don’t have and want to give, give! What statement of faith it is to act in accordance with the truth that we are more valuable than sparrows, than when there is no evidence. Faith as small as a mustard seed, as a seed that God will use what is given well. Only consider what you are a slave to, and make sure you are living free from fear. God will not bless you more because you give with what little you have, we earn nothing from the hand of God. Give, because you want to bless, and trust that the Father has and always will provide for you.

For those who give – give well, give wisely, and give freely!

We are not a slave to the recipients, and to give only because it is demanded is to remove the power of love in our giving! As everything has come from God, only God is in His right to demand, and He doesn’t. He invites us to participate. When the tabernacle was built with Moses (Exodus 35:21), when David/Solomon built the temple (1 Chronicles 29:3), when Hezekiah reformed the temple (2 Chronicles 29:31), it was funded by those who gave willingly out of their hearts as the Lord moved upon them. Though God had every right to demand everything. How much more is the church of holy ones, free from demands.

To those who have and don’t want to give, don’t give! No one has a claim on your wealth. Whether by direct blessing or the sweat from your brow, what’s yours is yours! Only consider what you are a slave to, and make sure you are living free from fear. And it is worth ensuring that we aren’t storing up for ourselves as the rich man did who died the next day, unable to enjoy his spoils and was rebuked by the Lord (Luke 12).

“For man does not live for himself alone in this mortal body, in order to work on its account, but also for all men on earth; nay, he lives only for others, and not for himself.” (Luther, Christian Liberty)

And of what little value is our wealth… the things that matter, our salvation, our holiness, our inheritance, our purpose, and His fierce love and goodness towards us wasn’t earned by and can’t be taken away. We stand before Jesus, the Almighty God, holy now and forever. What should have any value to us, since we have everything the spirit has for life and enrichment in relationship with God, alone?

To those who don’t have and don’t want to give, don’t! As the Lord said to Moses, I will show mercy/compassion to those I will show mercy/compassion (Exodus 33, Romans 9). Only consider what you are a slave to, and make sure you are living free from fear. His hand isn’t earned, nor does the nature of His love require your contribution like a gumball slot machine. And know, mountains are moved by faith. Not that you will be rewarded in plenty for giving when you have little, but that your little means something for the purpose you gave it and He stewards well.

For those who don’t give – be free from guilt, for you are holy!

Giving With Peace

When it comes to personal finances, relying on the status of our bank account for peace of mind is a red flag. We are not a people that lack, but our God who meets our needs is one who deals bountifully with His children (Psalm 13). Not because we can demand His generosity, but because He is generous.

“Abundance makes me poor.” (Ovid) Indeed, the more I have, the worse I am for it. Not because we become accountable for every single penny spent or must bring pressure to justify every time to eat out, but because excess provides the opportunity to indulge and adjust our definition of “need” to where we are slave to things other than the love of God. By slaves, I mean something that drives us.

In that spirit, we manage our expenses independently from our income, because we would rather focus on what we need and value, rather than what we can afford. They are not the same. What freedom comes in that! Spending less in some areas compared to some, more in others. Overall, more value. Always free.

So, income is managed separately, we walk in confidence as we steward careers well and trust God to always take care. Expenses are managed separately, stewarding well and walking in the peace of enjoyment and the freedom from slavery of indulgence. Then, giving is made simple from our philosophy:

We choose to be generous, because we are dealt with generously. $1 in our account is $1 more than we need.
Driven by that spirit, we always seek to give in every opportunity, whether reactive to an ask or proactive with an idea. Yet, we don’t always give.
We first examine the leading of His peace, laying it down and being open to where He leads. One way or another. If no clear directive from the leading of Holy Spirit in prayer, then:
We “see” the situation for what it is, examine our own intention whether it is about us or them.
- Are we moved by peace or pressure? If we were to give, would this be to share love or in an attempt to appease an ulterior motivation?
We “see” the recipient and determine whether it would be beneficial for them if we give.
- Is this helpful or unnecessary? Is this constructive or destructive?
We give freely or we don’t give without guilt.
This can be done in microseconds or over the course of a couple days in prayer.

We are all responsible for what we have and have been given. We are also responsible for how we give. Walk in your freedom and create your own intentional approach to giving, what reflects freedom and trust. And rest in the peace of His love.

The Status of The Poor Is Not The Responsibility of The Church

What was always meant as an illustration of love, in blessing the least of these, can easily be a proving exercise of guilt and responsibility as if the status of the poor is the responsibility of the church.

The poor don’t need money, they need the love of God, which can be through money.

Like us, like the rest of the world, they need to know the grand love of God for them, which has no relationship to the status of their cup and bank account. Our gift to them is a just a conduit of love.

Christian ministry has no bearing on the outward man, and everything on the inward man. There is no guilt in needing to relieve the outward appearance of making people’s lives better by getting them off the streets. For the streets will clean themselves when the love of God fills all needs.

Revealing the love of Jesus may very well indeed be sharing money and food and clothing, but only if it is done for the love of those that are in need, by the peace of His Spirit that sees them, and not just their need. And perhaps its much more than just a tip in the jar or a coffee. Who’s to know but you and Holy Spirit?

Otherwise, it’s for nothing! If prophecy and all understanding is useless for us without love (1 Corinthians 13), how much do we cause unnecessary suffering for us if we are motivated out of the need to prove ourselves and attempt to please God when that makes it about us!

Cease the striving! Rest in the peace of His love. And out of the overflow of His love, give as you have been given, as you see fitting in accordance with the leading of Holy Spirit.

God’s Blessing, Power, and Favor are Never Purchased

It is worth a brief note to address any idea that ties blessings with giving. Since the early church there has always been money peddlers, seeking or using the popular role for its benefits, and in the modern day that has looked in some instances where our security or blessing is tied to the extent of our giving. While these extreme examples are more obvious to detect, that same underlying assumption of exchange can remain subtlety present in how we consider our relationship with God. It is key to not walk from this heart and to not subject yourself to it’s influence.

As if the blessing of the Lord, God could be bought. Holy Spirit for us was purchased by the blood of Jesus, alone, and the power of God is gifted by His hand, alone. God doesn’t respond to tit-for-tat.

We were saved into His righteousness and are blessed with every heavenly blessing because we reign with Christ as new beings in Christ, sons and daughters of the living God. His blood covered us without consideration for our money, and His blessings, favor, and presence in our life will move independently of our financial situation.

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire the gift of God with money! “You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. “Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord [that,] if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness.”
(Acts 8:8-13)

We’ve never earned anything from the hand of God. Not even His favor is merited. While there are examples of David, Job, Joseph, Daniel, and others who received blessing from the Lord and they were also righteous in their standing with Him – steadfast and upright – Jesus Himself says that the Father causes the sun and the rain to bless both the righteous and the unrighteous. Because He is good, not because anyone is worthy. Further, when David, Job, and others went through times of lack, their countenance towards God didn’t change, revealing that their love was for God and not the things from God.

As if God, Himself, was sufficient.