| Well, for my first jaunt into the blogosphere, I thought I would go with an easy topic. Something that is sexy and highly intriguing that will drive people to my blog  But, one thing I learned as a Pastor was that sometimes the most needed areas of growth in our Christian walks are neither sexy nor highly intriguing.
With that in mind, I bring you "Our Three Biggest Misconceptions about Giving to God."
If there is one sensitive area that we as Western Christians don't want to examine, but should, it's our money. In the West we live a materially comfortable life (even those of us who are poor), and we don't like to have that lifestyle put under the microscope. But, like all things, we should strive to examine this area of our lives under Scripture's light.
How Much Should a Christian Give?
There is some debate over whether or not New Testament Christians still need to tithe (give 10 percent of their gross income to the Church). While this is not the focus of what I want to write about, I feel that I must quickly address this. Ten percent was the clear Old Testament standard (Malachi 3:8-10, Deuteronomy 14:22), but some say that this Old Testament standard is not specifically repeated for New Testament believers.
To that I say, I agree with this logic/Theology, but I don't think many anti-Tithers will like the implications of their argument. Why? Because the New Testament routinely gives examples of Christians giving MUCH more than 10% to the Kingdom (Acts 4:34-35, Luke 12:32-34, etc). So, yes they are not required to give a tithe, but if they are to follow the New Testament examples then they should be giving significantly more. While I could go on to say more, given these New Testament examples I think it will suffice for this blog to say that it should be at least 10% of our gross income.
But more important than tackling "how much", I should address why am I blogging about the issue of giving. Why? Because I see too many Christians (sometimes myself included) in bondage because of un-Biblical attitudes toward the money God has given them, and I hope that maybe Holy Spirit will use this post to help bring some people to a more Biblical mindset.
How do We Go Wrong in Our Giving?
I see four major ways...
1. We think of Church like we think of a Charity
What happens when we give to a charity? We usually get a nice letter in the mail thanking us for going above and beyond the call of duty to help their cause. We feel good about ourselves and many times we should, because we have done a great thing. But what about if we don't give to a charity? Well, we may feel bad, but most of us would agree that we haven't done anything wrong. No one will hunt us down and throw us in jail, and we have no fear of having the charity garnish our wages. After all, giving to charity is "above and beyond" (the ten-dollar ethics word for this is supererogatory). It's a good thing to do, but it's not morally required.
But this is not how we should think of our giving to the Kingdom of God. Why? Because giving to God is not just supererogatory, it is biblically required (1 John 3:17, Romans 12:13, James 2:15-16, etc). We shouldn't just treat the offering as another pitch for money from another charity; something we just dig around to see if we have a few extra bucks to contribute. We should see it as chance for us to worship God through our obedience to His commands to give. We should see it as our part in supporting the local church to help alleviate pain and suffering of the world (both spiritual and physical).
2. Narcothropy
This term was introduced to me (and possibly coined) by my good friend and former boss, Scott Fischer. It's a combination of the words Narcissism and Philanthropy, and it refers to people whose giving is primarily about themselves. They don't give for the right reasons, they give either to be seen or for the good feeling that they get from giving. In short, they make the act of giving all about themselves and therefore taint any spiritual benefit that might come from the act of giving.
Of course, this is not a new problem. Jesus dealt with such hypocrites back in his day as well (Matthew 6:2). And what was Jesus' solution? "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." May the Lord give us His strength to do the right thing for the right reason when we give.
3. "Voting" on Church Policy with our Tithe
Now please understand what I am NOT saying. I am not saying that Church leaders shouldn't be held accountable for how they spend God's money. If your church's budget is more than the gross domestic product of some small countries and all they can show for it are monogrammed water bottles and flat screens, then there is a problem. But the way some Christians react in this case is just wrong. For some people, if they disagree with the Pastor or Church Elders' decision to enact certain policies, they decide they will show their disapproval by ceasing their giving. In small churches this can be especially devastating to the Church's budget. Nonetheless, trying to "resolve" conflict in this manner is sinful.
If the Church's leadership is in sin, then they should be biblically confronted in a loving manner (Matthew 18). If the leadership still refuses to stop sinning, then you should leave and go to another Church, not simply withhold money. But, the truth is, many times when people will stoop to the level of withholding their tithe, they are not confronting sin at all. They are childishly attempting to throw their weight around and get what they want through improper means. They are being insubordinate to the spiritual leadership God has given them (Hebrews 13:17), and I pray that the Lord will help those in this situation to turn away from such sinful behavior.
Where does this leave us?
If we are to honor God with our giving, then we should 1) make sure we are giving what the Lord would ask of us (probably more than 10%), 2) Avoid the sinful attitudes mentioned above, and 3) I can think of no better way to get our giving in perspective than to heed the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9As it is written,
"He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."
10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
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