There is one very good reason to give–because you want to!
What ever money we have is ours. Ultimately everything belongs to God, however while we are on earth what we have, has been earned or given to us and it is ours. We have the privilege of using it as we see fit.
I am a Junior Partner in the business of my soul, foremost my spiritual life, with the Holy Spirit as Senior Partner. As Senior Partner I like to ask Him what I should give, when and how much, so we are in agreement. Many times He will say ‘no’ to something I want to do, as He has another place for the money. Sometimes He tells me to give when I hadn’t thought about it. It is a great arrangement.
When I am asked to give it is so easy to ask Him what to do. And then be obedient. If a voice tells me to give more than I have, that is probably not the Holy Spirit. Many people do not ask or hear the Holy Spirit and are confused on how to give. We all should develop (by practice) a generous giving heart and develop (expect and receive) a ‘listening ear’ for the Holy Spirit. It may come as a thought, a voice or just an impression. And, I have found it is immediate to the question.
Giving is a very smart thing to do, as it always comes back in one form or another. The problem is, very rarely are we aware how we are being blessed because we expect it to come in dollars. Where as, it may come in favor for a job, help with a project, gifts from neighbors, discounts on items, dinner or lunch with friends, and on and on. But giving is reciprocal!
Giving a tithe (meaning 10%) has been argued for centuries I imagine–whether we should or should not give ten percent to our church. In the Old Testament the eleven tribes of Israel took care of the Priests and Rabbis, shared their properties with them, etc. The book of Malachi talks of robbing God when tithes and offerings are not given. I personally believe that means we are not literally robbing God–because He doesn’t need the money–but we are robbing the ‘work’ of the Kingdom of God on earth.
God uses men and women and their giving to bless others. So when we don’t give we are in essence robbing ourselves. It is character and nature of God to give and Jesus gaveHis life for the joy laid before Him of creating a way for our reconciliation with the Father and life eternal.
Malachi also says that when we give, God will pour out blessings from Heaven. Some argue that is not for New Testament, New Covenant believers; they are not under the law. Giving is a priceless principal, not a law.
To me the argument is mute. The question is “Why Not?” How can we maintain our churches, pay our workers, and give to poor if we don’t tithe? Whether we belong to a church or just attend, we are obliged to help with the rent, utilities, salaries and expenses. The more we give the more they can do.
We wouldn’t expect to go out to eat and not pay for the meal that covers all of the above items for the business. We don’t attend an athletic game of any importance without paying well for the privilege. Solomon tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes, money is the answer to all things. Then we are warned that the love of money is evil.
It has been my observation that when we have trouble giving our money there is a ‘love affair’ going on in our pocket book. We don’t have to be rich to love money, many poor people love it as well, wanting it out of desperation. Money is just a commodity to make other things possible, extremely important, to use not to ‘keep’ but to invest.
Invest in ourselves, paying bills, investing in our future, and absolutely invest our tithe to churches and our offerings to those who help, teach or encourage us where ever they may be. If we live month to month we give only what we can without guilt or shame. Giving when we can, knowing that God blesses those who love and follow Him.
My prayer is for more to give, Lord, more, more more! May you be blessed with more as well! And, we all give from happy heart–appreciating the system of reward and good health God has set in place–It is more blessed to give than to receive!