First person: The privilege and discipline of giving

The older I get, the more joy I find in giving to the Lord. I am profoundly grateful God allows us to make a meaningful financial difference through our local church. The privilege and discipline of giving are essential aspects of the Christian life and vital to a healthy church.

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Here are a few insights into the joy of giving:

1. God owns everything (Ps. 24:1). Our giving is simply returning a portion of what He has entrusted to us.

2. We are called to be faithful stewards. God holds us accountable for how we manage the resources He provides. Luke 12:48 states, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required.”

3. We give because we love God. A good question is, would you still give if no one ever knew? Some people love “the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43). True generosity, however, is rooted in love for Him, not recognition from others.

4. We give the best and the first to God. The Bible speaks of offering your “first fruits” to God (Prov. 3:9). It makes sense. God deserves our best. An important note is that Christians give to God through His church. You don’t give to the church. I have known people who give to the church stop giving to the church when they don’t get their way.

5. A good starting point is 10%. Some argue that tithing was part of the law and no longer applies. However, Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek — a priest who foreshadowed Christ — long before the law was given (Gen. 14:18; Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5–7). By the way, a heart that loves to give never argues about a “minimum.”

6. Giving is an act of worship. It pleases the Lord when you give. It was the poor widow’s gift that caught the attention of Christ (Mark 12:41–44). It’s not the amount but the sacrifice that honors Him most.

7. The church is a channel to bless others rather than a storehouse. My father pastored a church with a large financial reserve when I was young. I remember seeing many leaders fidgeting in the pew as he boldly reminded the congregation that “we are in the Kingdom-building business, not the banking business.” This statement doesn’t mean churches shouldn’t have financial reserves, but hoarding wealth instead of using it for God’s work is unbiblical.

8. Guard your heart against the love of money. “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap” (1 Tim. 6:9–10), so we are to guard our hearts “against the love of riches” (Prov. 4:23). John Wesley reportedly gave away money as soon as he received it, fearing it might take hold of his heart.

9. Make giving a primary objective in obtaining wealth. Proverbs 23:4–5 warns against chasing riches for their own sake. God gives, in part, so that we can give. Years ago, a friend promised to give God 50% of the money he received. Today, he gives an astronomical amount from his 1,000 oil wells.

RELATED: Check out more articles on faith moments by Rob Jackson.

May we all embrace the joy and privilege of giving, trusting that God will use our generosity for His glory. Join me in asking God for more resources to further His Kingdom.