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We hear complaints and questions like these from Christians frequently:
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What Does the Bible Say About Church Giving? Don't take my word as proof that God wants us to give. Instead, let's look at what the Bible says about giving.
First and foremost, God wants us to give because it shows that we recognize he is truly the Lord of our lives, and we vow to support his kingdom here on earth. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17, NIV)
Everything we own and everything we have comes from God. So, when we give, we simply offer to his kingdom a small portion of all the abundance he has already given to us.
Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God. It comes from a heart of worship that recognizes that everything we give already belongs to the Lord.
God instructed Old Testament believers to give a tithe, or a tenth, because this ten percent represented the first, or most important portion of all they had The New Testament does not suggest a certain percentage for giving, but simply says for each to give "in keeping with his income."
Believers should give according to their income. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:2, NIV)
Note that the offering was set aside on the first day of the week. When we are willing to offer the first portion of our wealth back to God, then God knows he has our hearts. He knows—and we also know—that we are submitted completely in trust and obedience to our Lord and Savior.
We are blessed when we give.... remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35, NIV)
God wants us to give because he knows how blessed we will be as we give generously to his kingdom and to others. Giving is a kingdom principle—it brings more blessing to the giver than to the recipient.
First and foremost, God wants us to give because it shows that we recognize he is truly the Lord of our lives, and we vow to support his kingdom here on earth. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17, NIV)
Everything we own and everything we have comes from God. So, when we give, we simply offer to his kingdom a small portion of all the abundance he has already given to us.
Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God. It comes from a heart of worship that recognizes that everything we give already belongs to the Lord.
God instructed Old Testament believers to give a tithe, or a tenth, because this ten percent represented the first, or most important portion of all they had The New Testament does not suggest a certain percentage for giving, but simply says for each to give "in keeping with his income."
Believers should give according to their income. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:2, NIV)
Note that the offering was set aside on the first day of the week. When we are willing to offer the first portion of our wealth back to God, then God knows he has our hearts. He knows—and we also know—that we are submitted completely in trust and obedience to our Lord and Savior.
We are blessed when we give.... remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35, NIV)
God wants us to give because he knows how blessed we will be as we give generously to his kingdom and to others. Giving is a kingdom principle—it brings more blessing to the giver than to the recipient.