Sometimes getting a little encouragement to give can assist the Christian in the process. Giving does not come easy for everyone. However, all Christians are called to give. The gifts of the Spirit are an interesting topic of study, and it may prove to help the Christian in the area of giving. Although this article will not touch on them in depth, it may be important to discuss them quickly.
Some may think they do not need to do what the Bible says in a certain area because they are not gifted in that area. For instance, it is common to believe that evangelism is reserved for those with the gift of evangelism. It is clear, based on Scripture, that some will have the spiritual gift of evangelism. Nevertheless, this does not mean that only those with the gift are called to evangelize.
Instead, there will be some who excel in evangelism, but everyone is to do the work of an evangelist. Timothy was not gifted in the area of evangelism. However, Paul told him, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (KJV, 2 Tim. 4:5). Therefore, although Timothy was not gifted in evangelism, he was still commanded to do the work of an evangelist.
Generosity is also a spiritual gift. Nevertheless, while some will excel in giving, it is still essential that all are giving for kingdom purposes. As a result, it may be helpful to touch upon some motivating factors of giving for the glory of God.
Money can lead to pride
The Christian who is concerned with his spiritual condition will know that pride will hinder his growth. Pride plagued the heart of Satan. Pride caused man to fall in the Garden. In essence, pride is uniquely attached to every sin, for pride exalts itself above God and says, “I know what is best.”
Thus, the Christian must make it his life-long goal to put pride to death. At the same time, pride will live as long as the Christian, but it is not equally true to say that every Christian has the same amount of pride. Therefore, pride must be laid low and Christ exalted.
But how does money factor into the equation? Ezekiel 28:1-2 informs the reader that the Prince of Tyrus was lifted up in pride. Then the Bible states, “With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures” (Ex. 28:4). But the following verse tells of the outcome, Scripture says, “By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches” (Ez. 28:5). The heart of the prince was lifted up because of all his riches. So will the Christian find that riches will also war against his heart.
Riches can also be deceptive in their production of pride. The Bible declares, “And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin” (Hos. 12:8). The claim of Ephraim was not valid, as even his heart had turned toward riches rather than God.
This is not to say that the Christian must sell all he has and give to the poor. But it is to say that the Christian must guard his heart against the temptations that wealth brings. One of the most remarkable ways to do this is by giving or using money for kingdom purposes.
Money can cause rejection
Another area that must be addressed is that money matters can cause rejection. But the question will undoubtedly arise, “Rejection from who?” To be rejected by a fellow man may come with sorrow. However, to be rejected by Jesus Christ is incomparable.
The rich young ruler approached Jesus and said, “…Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16). What a question! It could be hard to think of a more important question than the one the man asked.
Surely the response of Jesus would have caused the man to change his course in life. Jesus responded by listing off a number of the Ten Commandments. After, the rich young ruler spoke back to Jesus by saying, “…All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet” (Matt. 19:20). The man believed he was a strict law keeper and had been doing much good. However, Jesus was not done with him yet.
Immediately after the man’s claims, Jesus said, “…If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matt. 19:21). At that moment, the man was faced with a decision. Choose life or choose death. He was confronted with the words of Joshua, “Choose this day who you will serve.”
The man’s idol was placed before his eyes. Indeed the man was a seeker of eternal life. Certainly, the man would have given up many other areas of his life to attain it. However, Jesus touched upon the very spot the man was unwilling to give to gain life. Finally, the Bible declares, “…he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matt. 19:22). He left the presence of Christ and did not respond on the day of salvation. He likely perished in the same idolatrous state he was in when he left the Messiah.
The warning is clear. Many are hindered from entering the kingdom of God because of their love of money. But Christ has encouraged the believer that where his treasure is, there will his heart be as well.
Money can lead to anxiety
Anxiety is an all too common state, even for Christians. While some may think getting a few more dollars in the bank would help with anxiety, the words of Scripture give more to consider. Scripture says, “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep” (Eccl. 5:12). It would be one thing to hear these words from a man who had no idea what it was like to be rich. But Solomon was not such a man. Instead, he had wealth beyond measure.
The Christian must fight against the enemy’s lie that money will solve all his problems. Instead, he might find in his attainment of wealth that there are more problems than there were before.
Money does not satisfy
Closely connected to the last point is that money will not satisfy. Yet again, the words are from King Solomon, an extremely wealthy man. He stated, “There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet there is no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail” (Eccl. 4:8). Later Solomon would go on to say, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity” (Eccl. 5:10). So the one who loves money and the accumulation of things will find that he is never satisfied with what he has.
The Christian may find temporary pleasure while loving money, but this is not the same as being satisfied. Sin is a fleeting pleasure. Satisfaction is rooted in God alone. There is a place in man’s heart that only God can occupy. Man may seek to fill that hole with money, but he will find that it does not fit properly. Instead, the Christian must seek the Lord and find his satisfaction in God.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the many Scriptures you have given me concerning how to steward my money. Please help me to honor You with the money I have and will provide me with. Please teach me how much to give, when to give, and where to be giving to, as I do not see strict commands on the matter apart from my tithe. You are good to me, Lord. May I honor You as You increase my supply. In Jesus’ name, Amen.