Giving

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

If I created a list of the Top Ten Verses God has used to impact my life the most consistently (which I probably will do at some point:)), 2 Corinthians 9:7 would be on it. It summarizes so beautifully how we are to approach all aspects of giving.

Learning The Verse

I remember 2 Corinthians 9:7 being a memory verse in early elementary school that stayed with me. My teacher reiterated that we should give whatever we have – a little or more – from our hearts, without complaint.

I’ve also watched my parents model this verse so well. Unfortunately, in our world giving is marked with so many conditions. Yet if we gave from our hearts, without reservation, we’d experience God’s amazing intent for us – and our world – in giving.

There are several principles on giving derived from 2 Corinthians 9 and others’ examples that God has really used in my own life that I will share.

Giving Should Not Be About What We Have

If we look at giving from God’s perspective, it begins with a willing heart. However, many people think it starts with what you possess. We often think that we cannot give – in time, talents, money or otherwise – if we have what we perceive as very little. But the problem is that getting more does not cure the lack of a heart to give. Even if we gain more resources but have “poor” attitudes toward giving, our gains will still result in stinginess, or giving reluctantly or under compulsion. And when we give out of obligation, or not at all, God is not pleased.

Second Corinthians 9: 6, 8-11 highlights that when we give out of our hearts, and generously – God blesses our giving. At the same time, those who give reluctantly will not see boon from giving:

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Some of us are waiting to get more before we give more, missing the fact that when we give, even in want, God, The Giver of All Good and Perfect Things, takes care of the getting. This is all the more reason our hearts should be sincerely open to giving regardless of our circumstances.

Giving Should Not Be About Convenience Or What We Can Get

This principle is related to the first. However, I separate the two because at times we may give in a way that seems generous outwardly but still be motivated– in whole or part – by self. For example, we might give for recognition, an opportunity for more wealth in the future – or to earn someone’s affection. Unfortunately, our society breeds this kind of giving in several ways, the most prominent in my mind relating to giving for financial gain in the form of a tax break.

Tax–Exempt Status?

Many people are motivated to give more generously because it will profit their bottom line at the end of the year. While I do not think it is necessarily wrong to consider whether an organization has 501(c)(3) status in giving, being motivated by financial gain – or even the dual rationale of helping an organization while also helping ourselves – can often disregard the fact that God may call us to generosity where no financial benefit is involved.

For example, a friend may need help with moving expenses. Someone we know might have an unexpectedly large hospital bill not covered by insurance, and we’re in a position to help. Or, a donation may be required for a special gift for a close friend celebrating a milestone. If we give monetarily only when it gets us a financial reward, in those instances we may give less than what God intends – and miss out on being used by Him to benefit someone else.

God’s call for us to generosity is not limited by a tax break – so we shouldn’t be, either.

Giving Should Not Be An Exercise In Counting

Regarding the idea of not giving reluctantly, another negative way of giving is keeping score of our gifts. Keeping count means marking – mentally or otherwise –the fact that we gave to use it against someone later, intentionally or unintentionally. This often happens when we give under mistaken expectations, or where we felt obligated to give despite the fact that we did not really want to – or where we were actually unable to.

Examples: We signed up to be on a committee that we thought would involve “x” number of hours, but it’s really taking up more time than expected. We let someone charge something on our credit card, and now it’s due and we have to pay for it. Or we gave something to someone close to us, but only so they would leave us alone in the future – but they’re asking us for more again.

In considering what it means to be a cheerful giver – even in the circumstances described – the dictionary is helpful:

Giving (Verb): “to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation”

Gift (Noun):

“something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance.”

“something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned”

Note the words in bold. Because giving, monetarily or otherwise, is defined as a voluntary exercise, it is to be undertaken that way. I have a motto derived from 2 Corinthians 9:7: “when I give, I forfeit my right to complain about it.”

Someone didn’t appreciate my gift? Well, I chose to give it to them. They had the chance to get me something in a similar situation, and gave me nothing? I’ve already lost my right to whine about it. Someone tries to ask me for more, on top of what I gave, when they don’t deserve it? So what, the gift was undeserved – and I do not have to give another. If I am to give cheerfully, whole-heartedly, as God requires – I must always give without reservation.

Some may protest this motto. But an important note is that 2 Corinthians 9:7 should also make us more thoughtful about our giving.

Giving Wisely

Whenever I am in a situation where I am about to give something that is particularly costly, in time, money or otherwise, I ask myself, “will I have a grudge against someone if the gift is not accepted – or returned – the way I desire?” If the answer is yes or maybe, I pray for God to search my motive for the reservation. If the motivation is selfish, God shows me that, and I am able to correct the behavior and give freely, despite my initial reservation. If there is a legitimate reason not to give, however, I choose not to rather than complain later.

Regarding choosing not to give, saying no in some instances is important so that we can give freely in instances when we should give. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 4:23. I’ll provide it in several versions:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (NKJV)

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (NASB)

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (NLT)

In the context of giving this verse is important because we are to do so from our hearts, the seat of our emotion. When we give grudgingly, it impacts our hearts and thus, our ability to give as God intends. As a result, we must avoid giving in circumstances where it cannot be heartfelt.

Some instances where we may choose not to give? One, when we do not have the resources. We may have $1100, and need all but 100 of those dollars for rent – yet someone tells us they need $800. Or someone wants you to co sign on a loan on which you would not have the ability to pay if that person defaulted. In those instances saying no is not necessarily about being stingy, but managing responsibilities we already have, also for God’s glory. This may result in painful confrontations with even close friends or family members, but I believe it is better to set those boundaries so that we can give in other areas that God intends.

Granted, there are times when God may call us to give out of what we do not have, but in those instances He, as Jehovah Jireh, will provide. Some of the most amazing stories of God’s provision that I hear are when people honor their commitment to tithe despite the fact that they may have had bills that left them short on meeting living expenses. Or when God calls someone to go on a mission’s trip that costs thousands of dollars they don’t have, but end up being able to raise the money just before the trip. When we follow God in giving even when resources are unseen, He honors us.

A final principle related to avoiding giving anything grudgingly that can be useful is, when given the option, choosing to give people things rather than loan them. In a way, even a loan involves the “gift” of temporary ownership. Maybe giving rather than loaning may mean we provide someone a less costly but still useful item than if we had loaned it, or a more costly one that is still within our ability to give. Why? Sometimes we loan people things more freely than we would give and, as a result, hold grudges when people do not give them back. As most of us know, very often, things that are loaned are never returned. When something is transferred as a complete gift, however, we can often be more intentional and heartfelt about what we provide others – without counting the cost.

However, sometimes the better – and perhaps even the more selfless – thing to do is loan someone something, but even the loan must be done with a giving spirit. Additionally, when we loan others things, when necessary we also must set clear boundaries for how they are used, but with love. In short, nothing should steal our hearts of joy in giving!

Other Thoughts On Giving

Discernment in Responses To Giving

Another area requiring discernment in giving is instances where we are willing and able to give– but the recipient – or others, have an issue with our giving. Because we live in a world where free, heartfelt giving is often unusual, people may not want to accept gifts because they think they are too much, or, for whatever reason, they know they are unable to “pay” you back for the gift - as they see it. Or someone may send you the message that what you have done for them is not enough – now or ever. Or even, a gift causes a stir you didn’t expect among others who did not receive it – jealously or otherwise. In such instances, we still have to keep our giving pure despite the response.

Further, at times we may have to stop giving where serious discord results; as gifts are not required, there is no obligation to continue giving them. At the same time, God may call us to still give despite negative responses that may even seem to cause more harm than good. We should follow Him even in those instances, as we are to please God in giving, not people!

Why We Give

Ultimately, giving freely is part of being a fully devoted follower of Christ. The last few verses of the section on giving in 2 Corinthians 9, verses 12 – 15, explain how we honor God publicly with our giving:

12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

We cannot forget that He gave us the ultimate, “indescribable” gift by shedding His blood to give us life. The only way fitting to accept the gift that cannot be repaid is to offer Him our resurces – our very lives.

REVOLUTION

I believe that every aspect of walking with Jesus comes back to Revolution. When we are totally devoted to God, without compromise, in everything we live for Him in a way that stands out in this world – including in our giving – for His glory.

I think some churches need to preach a little less Malachi 3:10 and a lot more 2 Corinthians 9:7. Because giving is a discipleship matter (i.e., about following Christ completely), when we preach discipleship, we preach biblical concepts such as tithing. Also, the more we follow God, simply because we love Him, the more we practice the guidance given in His Word. That’s how our churches – and our communities as a whole – will flourish.

My prayer is that we give freely, without reluctance – because God loves it.