Why, When and Where to Give.
November 4, 2021
The Word of God has more to say about finances than it does about heaven and hell. Jesus said trusting Him with our money was the least use of our faith (Luke 16:9-11). If we can’t do that which is least, then we can’t do the greater things. This is very important.
Before I get into teaching on finances, let me say that this week, I watched a fundraiser held by a Christian network, and I was appalled. I saw manipulation that makes con men look honest, and it was all done in the name of the Lord with tears and lots of hype. It really grieved me, as I know it would many of you.
But do you know what upset me the most? It wasn’t the minister misrepresenting the Lord. That always has and always will happen. What’s the chaff to the wheat (Jer. 23:28)? We keep our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2). What really upset me was that these tactics work. The body of Christ responds to this type of appeal with big bucks, and that’s why ministers do this: It works. There are organizations receiving hundreds of millions of dollars per year through gimmicks, lies, and manipulation.
But in this letter, I want to focus specifically on what the Bible has to say about why, when, and where to give. A biblical perspective in these three areas would stop this silliness.
First, the motivation behind your gift is more important than your gift. This is the point being made in 1 Corinthians 13:3, which says,
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
The reason you give is more important than what or how much you give.
Andrew Wommack – Founder AWMI
Any presentation that says you can buy God’s blessing or the salvation of a loved one or some other positive result with your financial gift is using the wrong motive to get you to give. It is true that the widow gave Elijah all she had and that her needs were supernaturally supplied for the next three years as a result. But 1 Kings 17:9 says, “I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” The Lord had commanded her to sustain Elijah. This wasn’t about getting her needs met, although that did happen; she was giving to help the man of God.
It’s also true that Cornelius’ gifts came up before God as a memorial (Acts 10:4), but it was his faith that pleased God (Heb. 11:6). His giving was just a manifest token of his faith and trust in the Lord. God’s blessings cannot be bought (Acts 8:18-20).
It is true that when we give, the Lord will give back to us a hundredfold in this lifetime (Mark 10:30), but giving only to get is the wrong motivation. God prospers us so we can establish His kingdom (Deut. 8:18), give to those in need (Eph. 4:28), and abound unto every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). We do need to expect to receive when we give, primarily so we will be resupplied and able to give more. However, the emphasis should be on giving, not receiving. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). We should live to give and not give to live.
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