Our Investments Reveal Which Kingdom We're Loyal To: A Closer Look at Christian Giving
When a pastor starts talking about giving we might find ourselves automatically rolling our eyes. Perhaps we wonder why churches keep talking about money when faith is free. Maybe we question how giving our resources away might actually be good for us. In any case, Jesus is very concerned about what our giving reveals about the kind of people we are.
Starting with the Foundation
Before we dive into giving, let's remember something crucial: Christianity isn't built on a system of rules - it's built on a person who redeems. Jesus is our foundation. Everything else, including how we handle our resources, flows from our relationship with Him.
Why Is Giving Essential?
The Bible tells us something profound about gifts in James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
This verse reminds us of an important truth: everything we have is a gift. We didn't choose when or where we were born. We can't even control our own heartbeat! Every morning when we wake up, we're reminded that we depend on God for our very existence.
Jesus spoke directly about our relationship with money in Matthew 6:19-24:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money."
This passage presents us with a clear choice: we can't be fully devoted to both God and money. Money makes a terrible master - it doesn't care about us, our families, or our communities. But Jesus? He knows everything about us - even the parts we hide from our closest friends - and still loves us enough to die for us.
The Heart of Giving
In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul writes about an incredible story of generosity. The churches in Macedonia, despite their extreme poverty, begged for the opportunity to give to help other believers in Jerusalem who were suffering. They gave according to their means, and beyond their means, because they first gave themselves to the Lord.
Paul reminds us that Jesus, "though he was rich, yet for your sake became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
What Does Christian Giving Look Like?
Here's something that might surprise you: Christian giving isn't about following the Old Testament tithe system. While many churches emphasize tithing (giving 10%), the New Testament actually presents a different approach. There's no minimum or maximum for Christian giving. Instead, it's about following the Holy Spirit's leading in how we give.
The real question isn't "How much am I required to give to make God happy?" but rather "Am I generous?" Do we:
Sacrifice our comfort for others?
Help communities in crisis?
Support those who teach and preach the gospel?
Care for our brothers and sisters in need?
Time: Our Most Precious Resource
While discussions about giving often focus on money, there's another precious resource we need to consider: time. Unlike money, we can't earn more time. As Psalm 90 says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Think about it this way: every week that passes is one we can't get back. Our time on earth is limited, and how we spend it reveals what we truly value. When we consider generosity, we should think not just about our wallets, but about our calendars too.
When Should We Give?
Based on the principles in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, there are two main approaches to giving:
Regular, Planned Giving: Having a thoughtful strategy for how we'll share our resources. This might mean setting aside a percentage of our income or scheduling regular time to serve others.
Spontaneous Giving: Being ready to respond when unexpected needs arise. Sometimes Jesus's invitation comes as an interruption to our plans.
The Big Picture
Remember this key truth: our investments - whether of money or time - reveal which kingdom we're loyal to. Are we investing in things that will last forever, or only in what we can see right now? Are our possessions owning us, or are we using them to serve God's purposes?
As we consider our giving, let's remember that generosity isn't about following rules - it's about responding to the incredible generosity God has shown us through Jesus. When we understand that everything we have is a gift from God, it becomes natural to hold our resources with open hands, ready to share with others as He leads.
What would it look like if we approached each day asking not "What can I get?" but "How can I be generous today?" The answer might change not just our bank accounts, but our entire lives.
