Why and how do Christians give their money to Christian (i.e. God-ordained) organizations/ministries?
1. An act of worship
Christians’ giving is an act of worship to God, not a donation or a casual giving. In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus spoke well of a poor widow who gave 2 mites from her heart, compared to the rich who put in big amount of money casually into the treasury. It is also an act of giving/surrendering yourself to the Lord (see 2 Corinthians 8:5a).
Christians’ giving is an act of worship to God, not a donation or a casual giving. In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus spoke well of a poor widow who gave 2 mites from her heart, compared to the rich who put in big amount of money casually into the treasury. It is also an act of giving/surrendering yourself to the Lord (see 2 Corinthians 8:5a).
2. Give in love, not fear
Jesus’ finished work on the cross has set you free from the curse of poverty in relation to Moses’ law/Old Covenant (see Malachi 3:8-9; Galatians 3:10-14). Therefore, you are not bound by the curse/consequences of not giving tithe and offering anymore as a believer in the New Covenant/Covenant of Christ/Covenant of Grace. Christians in the New Covenant give 10% of their income because they bear witness with the 10% giving of Abraham to King Melchizedek, which is a ‘typology’ of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (see Hebrew 7:1-10; Genesis 14:18-20). Thus, you give to the Lord not because you fear that He’ll curse you for not giving. You give because you know that He loves you and wants to bless you even more through your giving.
Jesus’ finished work on the cross has set you free from the curse of poverty in relation to Moses’ law/Old Covenant (see Malachi 3:8-9; Galatians 3:10-14). Therefore, you are not bound by the curse/consequences of not giving tithe and offering anymore as a believer in the New Covenant/Covenant of Christ/Covenant of Grace. Christians in the New Covenant give 10% of their income because they bear witness with the 10% giving of Abraham to King Melchizedek, which is a ‘typology’ of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (see Hebrew 7:1-10; Genesis 14:18-20). Thus, you give to the Lord not because you fear that He’ll curse you for not giving. You give because you know that He loves you and wants to bless you even more through your giving.
3. Decide the amount
Your giving is between you and God. Know that God sees your heart when you give, not just by your outward action of giving. Ask God for the right amount to give so that you can purpose in your heart to give with gladness, and not grudgingly or feeling imposed/pressurized to give (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). Hence, keep an open heart for the Lord to guide you on the amount to give in different specific situations.
Your giving is between you and God. Know that God sees your heart when you give, not just by your outward action of giving. Ask God for the right amount to give so that you can purpose in your heart to give with gladness, and not grudgingly or feeling imposed/pressurized to give (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). Hence, keep an open heart for the Lord to guide you on the amount to give in different specific situations.
4. Where to give?
Give to the minister/ministry where you receive the teaching of the Word, as written in Ephesians 6:6, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” Give also as the Lord leads (see 2 Corinthians 8:5b) whether it is to a ministry or to the needy.
Give to the minister/ministry where you receive the teaching of the Word, as written in Ephesians 6:6, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” Give also as the Lord leads (see 2 Corinthians 8:5b) whether it is to a ministry or to the needy.
5. The outcome of giving:
a) Sow bountifully, reap bountifully
Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to excel in their giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9. Expect God to multiply your giving because the more you give, the more you will receive (see 2 Corinthians 9:6). Once you have given, believe that you will be enriched in everything, so that you can always give liberally and generously.
a) Sow bountifully, reap bountifully
Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to excel in their giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9. Expect God to multiply your giving because the more you give, the more you will receive (see 2 Corinthians 9:6). Once you have given, believe that you will be enriched in everything, so that you can always give liberally and generously.
b) Spiritual Partnership
· You will be a partaker of the grace/anointing of the minister of God you give to (see Philippians 1:3-7).
· You will be a partaker of the grace/anointing of the minister of God you give to (see Philippians 1:3-7).
· You will be a partaker of the reward of the minister of God you give to (see Matthew 10:41-42).
· You will reap the benefits of giving to the ministers of God, their prayers, and thanksgiving to God for you (see Philippians 4:17-19; 2 Corinthians 9:12-15).
c) Expand & Edify the Body of Christ
You indirectly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to see more souls saved and teach believers to triumph in Christ in their Christian walk by giving to the life and ministry of God’s ministers as commanded by Jesus in Mark 16:15-18.
You indirectly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to see more souls saved and teach believers to triumph in Christ in their Christian walk by giving to the life and ministry of God’s ministers as commanded by Jesus in Mark 16:15-18.
In contrast to the worldly system of giving to an association or clubhouse, once you have given to God’s minister/ministry, the money is no longer yours. You have no more ‘say’ or stewardship over the money you have sown. Trust God that He will ensure the money is put to good use through that particular ministry. One good example is Lydia, a businesswoman who sold purple linen and provided for Paul’s ministry (see Acts 16:14, 40). The Lord will continue to bless your business/career and prosper you as you give according to His guidance.