The Discipline of Giving
16th February 2010
The Discipline of Giving
Written by Captain Annette Allen (Corps Officer, Slough, England)
OUR son Malachi has not been given that name by chance. For us, as his parents, it is a constant reminder of the importance of giving to God.
The prophet Malachi was hot on this topic, and was not hesitant in reminding Israel of their obligation to give what was rightfully God's. He delivers the pledge: 'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, 'I will open the windows of Heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in' (Malachi 3:10 New Living Translation).
Yet despite this promise, giving, especially within the Church, remains a contentious issue. Why? Perhaps it's because it forces us to be honest with ourselves, and others, about what we are holding back rather than what we are prepared to sacrifice.
Christmas is behind us but bargains and early sales have retailers boasting of record turnovers. Many of us probably indulged where food and presents were concerned, despite a recession leaving many weary and discouraged.
But why do we find it so extraordinary when we are challenged to set aside money for God? Why do so many people feel uncomfortable about discussing personal giving?
Salvation Army soldiers are expected to 'fire a cartridge'. More importantly, although tithing is a scriptural command it is one which is increasingly disobeyed. Giving, whether financial or giving of our time and talents, is about discipline. It requires us to be resolute and intentional about what has been entrusted to us. Resources are never so scarce that we cannot afford to give to God in some way.
I was very blessed as a child for many reasons but one especially was that teaching about budgeting always included my giving to God. More significantly, this was to take primary status rather than be an afterthought. It has not always been easy and I have no doubt that further testing times will come but always that reminder has been there: give to God and he will provide for your needs.
Giving requires great trust that God will be our provider. Those who risk it testify to God's power at work.
Of course, it's true that giving can be demonstrated other than simply through money. Our time and talents are not our own but are for the building up of God's Church. Read 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4 to see evidence of the call to use our spiritual gifts for God's glory. They also represent sacrificial giving but we should not make that an excuse for not placing our monetary gifts on God's altar too. We make time and money for the things we value most. If we have money, we should give - and cheerfully!
Your Money And Your Life by Keith Tondeur is a fantastic book on giving, exploring the attitude Christians should have towards their finances. He reminds us that our faith and finances are closely linked together, and that, as stewards of God's world and the resources he loans us, we are accountable to God as to how we spend it. He writes: 'Giving is not about an amount. God does not look at what we give; he looks at what we keep for ourselves. God looks at our hearts.'
God's attitude is clear. John 3:16 tells us: 'God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son' (New International Version). God gave everything and he invites us to follow that example.
Discovering the importance of relationships over possessions is the key to sacrificial giving. We are enriched only when we give generously to God and to others around us.
American pastor and author O. S. Hawkins muses: 'The principal hindrance to the advancement of the Kingdom of God is greed. It is the chief obstacle to heaven-sent revival. It seems when the back of greed is broken, the human spirit soars into regions of unselfishness.'
The habit of giving, like so many other areas of our lives, doesn't just happen; it requires purposeful, single-minded discipline. It entails us reprioritising the demands that are placed on our resources. In difficult economic days such as we are experiencing today, we have to look carefully and prayerfully at how God wants us to use our available income, however meagre that may seem, and thank God for all he has blessed us with.
Points to ponder
What are your basic priorities in life - status, possessions or God's will? Ask God to help you reprioritise where necessary.
What message are you giving to those within your influence about the need to tithe? Would others know that God is the most important person in your life by the way you spend your money? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your values.
Do you compare your giving with what others give or by scriptural standards? Ask God to give you wisdom regarding your giving.
Reproduced from the English "Salvationist" Jan 23/01/10
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