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What the Bible says about Christian Giving

In this section, we are speaking about Christian Giving rather than Stewardship. As we are focusing on Stewardship of Money, rather than Stewardship of the rest of God's world, the two terms in fact mean the same.

This page explains the why and the how of Christian Giving.


There are two approaches to Stewardship which are based on the Scriptures and their part in understanding the subject:


The Creationist theory

God our Father created us, gives us infinite love and everything to enjoy our life on earth. (1 Corinthians 8:6, Psalm 24:1)

The Redemptionist theory

His greatest gift is Jesus Christ who in turn gave himself for us, fully and completely. (John 3:16, Galatians 2:20)

God's generosity and infinite love are the two major motivating factors which should be uppermost in our minds at all times in our prayers about giving.

St Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8 that the Macedonians gave themselves first to the Lord in their collection for the church in Jerusalem. By committing themselves to Christ they showed their generosity to the full.

We respond to Christ's gospel in worship, mission and Christian service, with love for our Father. What we give is given with joy and generosity in return for the infinite love he gives us. As money is such an important part of our lives, Jesus should reign as much in our pockets as in our hearts, in our financial planning as well as in the rest of our daily lives.

His love demands our all. Remember the hymn When I survey the wondrous cross by Isaac Watts, last verse Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Well, clearly this is a theoretical ideal. What we give is a token which represents our all. This token will differ according to our means: it isn't however a percentage like a tax. God is not a taxman.

 


How should we give back to God?

Bearing all this in mind, how much you give is a confidential matter between you and God as a result of prayer. After all, God knows and understands our circumstances very well anyway.

 


Further biblical help can be found in

"If you are eager to give, God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have, not on what you haven't."

2 Corinthians 8: 12

 


Christian Giving Links