How Christians Should Think About Money and Giving
All around the world this Giving Tuesday, people are generously giving to the causes closest to their heart.
I’d like to ask: what means the most to you on this day? At Harvest, our calling and number one goal has always been to make God known to as many people as we can with the good news of the gospel. Giving Tuesday brings us a special opportunity to share God’s love in the upcoming year.
What Is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a day that is celebrated worldwide as a day of generosity—a day to advance the causes and charities that make a difference in the world.
You might say it’s the most generous day of the year.
A Biblical Mindset on Money and Giving
The topic of money is a topic that matters to God. For some reason, we can more easily embrace what the Bible says on so many other topics, but when it comes to the topic of money and us parting with any of it, suddenly there is a discomfort.
But more than half of Jesus’ teachings on Heaven and Hell combined, and half of the parables that He told, dealt with material things, money, and giving.
Everything You Have Belongs to God
Scripture teaches that you, and everything you have, belongs to God (see 1 Corinthians 6:19).
We think “I own this. I made this money.” Well, maybe you did, but God says in Haggai 2:8, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine” (NLT).
The Bible clearly teaches it’s the Lord that gave you these things. God is the one who gave us everything to enjoy.
Deuteronomy 8:18 says God gave you the ability to produce wealth. Everything we have comes from God.
Every Believer Should Happily Give
In 2 Corinthians, Paul gives the church of Corinth principles on giving—and they apply to us as well. He writes, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (verse 9:6–8 NLT).
Every believer should give and do so happily because “God loves a cheerful giver.” That could better be translated as “a hilarious giver,” not someone giving under pressure, but because they want to—and they even find joy in it. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. Have you discovered that yet for yourself?
It Is a Joy to Give
It is a real joy to give.
Paul talked about the believers in Macedonia begging for another opportunity to give, “They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem” (2 Corinthians 8:4 NLT).
This is interesting. We hear of people begging for money but when is the last time we heard of someone begging to give?
As We Give to God, God Will Give More to Us
As we give to God, He will give more to us. The Bible says, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38 NKJV).
Be a generous believer and God will make it up to you, “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
We Can All Engage in Generosity as Believers
This is something we all can engage in as believers—especially on this charitable day. As Corrie ten Boom once said, “A life is measured not by its duration, but its donation.”
The problem with wealth is not in having it, it’s how you get it, how you guard it, and how you give it.
Invest in Evangelism Today
So today, I ask you to take advantage of this unique opportunity Giving Tuesday brings and prayerfully consider investing in evangelism.
Your support helps us to spread the hope of Christ through all of our evangelistic endeavors we do at Harvest, as well as our relief efforts that reach people all over the world (literally). When you partner with Harvest, you work with us to bring the gospel to more people who desperately need it with:
- More Harvest Crusades that reach thousands each year.
- Gospel centered content like my new family-friendly animation series.
- Free New Believer’s Bibles, with a goal to get them in the hands of 50,000 people yearly.
Thank you in advance for your support! God bless.
