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Giving Today

Harold Hancock

Giving to the Lord today is beneficial for us and important to the cause of Christ. We are commanded to give, but giving is also a privilege and a blessing. By our giving, we declare our obedience, our faith, our commitment, and our love and respect for God. Furthermore, God blesses those who give as they should, if not in this world, then certainly in the world to come.

Christians give to God today by “laying by in store on the first day of the week” (1 Corinthians 16:1- 2) and by giving as we have opportunity to those in need (Matthew 25:34-40; Ephesians 4:28). “Laying by in store on the first day of the week” allows Christians to have fellowship in the work of the church—preaching the gospel and helping needy saints (Philippians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Taking advantage of opportunities as individuals to help the needy or using our money to accomplish other good works are ways of letting our lights shine and glorifying God (Matthew 5:16). When we give, we lay up heavenly treasures; these are the treasures that cannot be destroyed or taken from us (Matthew 6:19-21). Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Materialism, the tendency to prefer material possessions and physical comfort to spiritual values, threatens to destroy would-be generous spirits. If we are not careful, materialism will arouse the spirit of greed, covetousness, and worry within us. We will spend, seeking to quench the unappeasable thirst for more, instead of giving. We will splurge to “keep up with the Joneses” rather than give. We will selfishly horde our riches, because we fear having nothing to live on or because we worry about tomorrow, i.e. the kids’ education, future health problems, or future retirement. We do not mean to suggest that the Bible condemns forethought or binds upon us vows of poverty—far from it. The Bible commends the ant because of his diligence and forethought (Proverbs 6:6-8). It encourages us to enjoy the fruits of our labors, remembering that they are gifts from God (Ecclesiastes 3:13). We are not advocating that we burden ourselves to ease others (2 Corinthians 8:13). Our intention is, however, to advise that we cannot serve two masters, God and money (Matthew 6:24) or be so concerned about what we shall eat or drink today or worried about what might be tomorrow that we fail to give as we should today (Matthew 6:33-34). Our purpose is to declare that we must not trust in riches, but in the living God. We must be ready to give, willing to share, storing up for ourselves a good foundation for the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life (1Timothy 6:17-19).

The best way to make sure that we give as we should today is to set aside first what we wish to give to God, then determine what we will do with the rest of our money. Stay with the plan! When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he encouraged them, “perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have” (2 Corinthians 8:11). God deserves and demands first place in our hearts and lives and the first fruits of our labors. Furthermore, if we seek to give capriciously, without forethought, we will likely never give as we should. We will probably overextend ourselves in other areas, robbing God “to pay Peter.” We must give of our living not from our abundance (Mark 12:41-44).

Believe God when He says it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) and that he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, but he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). Believe that God is able to provide you with food, increase your efforts, and add to your fruits of righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10). Let God’s word and His goodness motivate you to give as He directs. Surmount the temptations of greed, covetousness, and materialism. Desire to please God more than you desire the things of this world. Prove your faithfulness to God by your giving. Remember, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). We cannot afford not to give to God, today, liberally, cheerfully, and according as we have prospered.