What Are the Most Often Asked Questions About Giving? - Questions 3 & 4

This is the third article in our series regarding a biblical study of giving. As stated in session one, we quickly discovered when consolidating all the giving related passages, all our acquired notes, and our published “Getting Your Financial House In Order” book, that this subject is too extensive for one Loose Change article. Question #1 was “Why Do We Give?” Question #2 was “How Much Do We Give and When Should We Give?” Now we answer questions #3 and #4.

3. Should I give from my Net Income or my Gross Income (Revenues)?

• You could answer somewhat facetiously from the content of the Malachi 3 passages from our Question #2 article last month, “Well, do you want a net income blessing or a gross income blessing?” Understand, our levity is primarily intended to raise our attention level. There is so much more to consider regarding this often-asked question.

• First, let’s keep in mind that those items or deductions that reduce our gross pay to a net amount can also be a part of God’s provision and can reap a benefit (as originally intended). Social Security, Medicare, Federal and State income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes all have benefits associated with them when handled with a biblical mindset. Social Security taxes provide income toward retirement; Medicare payments provide medical insurance for our later years, etc. These are all benefits that add to our increase and can be a part of God’s provision for us and others. To give or tithe only on the net increase can represent an impoverished understanding of God’s blessing for our material lives. Also remember, as we previously stated, that if God’s people were giving 10% or more of their income to their church or other fruitful charities; some, or many, of these existing government-initiated programs would not be needed and could technically be eliminated.

• It is understood that sometimes people’s trust level only allows them to begin giving to God’s work using some initial percent of income; and this is often calculated on their net income. As previously stated, “Nowhere in the Bible does God talk about giving less than ten percent.” So hopefully, we step out in faith and start there (giving ten percent). However, once people start giving, they soon discover both God’s obvious and hidden blessings. They may start with ten percent of their net income, but they soon move up to giving God ten percent of their gross income. Remember though, ten percent is the biblical starting place, not the goal!

• A caution for those who are self-employed: It is to be noted that most wise Christian businesses owners give from their net profit, i.e. their gross revenues minus the legitimate, legal, morally correct, and Holy Spirit led costs of doing business. It is possible for a business owner that blindly gives ten percent of their gross revenues to God, to tithe themselves right out of business! Some businesses don’t even operate on a ten percent margin!

• It is also noted that we have met many generous Christian business owners who don’t know their actual net profit until the end of their fiscal year. Some of these business owners handle this by giving donations monthly or quarterly, just as they would pay their Quarterly tax estimates. Then at the end of their fiscal year they have a rendering with their financial statements, and then give whatever balance or percent that they have originally purposed in their heart to give. This way they are giving throughout the year and then giving any final amounts at the end of their fiscal year. We have also met many business owners who do give ten percent (or more) of their gross revenues to God’s work. However, they have a strong grasp of their business, sales patterns, balance sheet and monthly financial statements.

4.    Who should we direct our giving toward?

.     Following are biblical examples of where to give:

• Our local church and those ministering to us. The local church and our pastors today are one of the Old Testament equivalents to the priests and Levites found in Malachi 3. This giving can include on-line churches when someone worships from home. This option became increasingly prevalent when Covid and the pandemic hit. When feasible, we do want to remember to meet with an actual physical body of Believers. It is important that the Body of Christ meet together to share talents and giftings, and to minister one to the other (Heb. 10:24-25). If we should ever discover that our pastor or local church leaders are violating scriptural principles, initially we should not withhold our giving. However, we should make a proper and biblical appeal regarding the discerned issues. If our appeal process fails and we have demonstrated the proper submissive spirit and attitude (i.e. not being prideful), then we may need to consider finding a new church or place to worship. Remember, Christ warned us of the many false prophets that will come in the last days (Matt. 7:15;24:11, 24; Mk 13:22; II Peter 2:1; I John 4:1)

• I Corinthians 9:14 states, “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” Besides our local church, this includes other non-profit and fruitful charity organizations that are proclaiming God’s Word and practicing sound biblical principles.

• To our family members (I Tim. 5:8). However, usually not without some form of accountability, and often not without engaging a third-party counselor (financial or otherwise). This helps keep all the family member’s emotions in balance.

• From Matt. 25:24-40; those hungry and thirsty, those needing hospitality or housing, those needing clothing, those who are sick and in prison.

• Christians in need. This also includes widows, orphans, and single parent moms/families - I John 3:17-18 states, “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

• Not to everyone that asks. II Thess. 3:10 “. . .if anyone is not willing to work then he is not to eat, either.

• Those without Christ. Matt. 6:42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” In context here, it is referring to lost and unsaved people.

This concludes question #3 and #4 in this series regarding giving. Should you have any questions, comments, or a related testimony you would like to share, please contact us. Our hope is that these articles, Bible passages, along with the leading of the Holy Spirit, prompt you to continually step out in faith when it comes to giving.

If you question or doubt your eternal salvation, contact us and ask for: “The ABC’s of Salvation.” Our next Loose Change article will address questions #5 and #6 in this series regarding, “What are the eight most often asked questions about giving.”

What Are The Eight Most Often Asked Questions About Giving? - Question 2

This is our second article in our series regarding a biblical study of giving. As stated in session one, we quickly discovered when consolidating all the giving related passages, all our acquired notes, and our published “Getting Your Financial House In Order” book, that this subject is too extensive for one Loose Change article. Question #1 was “Why Do We Give.” The following addresses Question #2: 

Q#2. How much do we give and when should we give?

• Giving in the Old Testament and the four Gospel’s (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) has an often-overlooked connection between having a “Fear of the Lord” and “Tithing” (as found in Deut. 14:22-23).

“You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.”

• The word “tithe” literally means 10% (not less than 10%, not 11% or 12%). Often, people mistakenly use the word “tithe” as a generic phrase referring to their giving, which is typically much less than 10%. This “generic” use of word “tithe” is a mistaken use of the term.

• Nowhere in the Bible can we find a reference to where God instructs us to give less than ten percent. For the committed Christian, the tithe (10% of income) should be the starting place, not the goal. However, many new Christians do not yet have the faith in God to step out and give ten percent. The concept of being a cheerful giver is covered below.

• Mal. 3:8-12 - A “Tithe” passage with included promises:

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts, “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.”

Implications and applications from this Malachi passage:

1. First notice that it says, “titles and offerings.” This tells us that there is giving beyond the tithe of 10%. It also includes offerings, over and above the tithe. 

2. In this passage, when we withhold the tithe (10%), God says that we are robbing Him.

3. This tithe went into the storehouse for support of the priests and Levites. Today, that can represent the local church.

Interesting Note: Just so it is noted here, the Israelites actually practiced three tithes that were recorded and observed. Being an agrarian and livestock producing economy, one tithe of their crops and livestock, as mentioned here in Malachi, was to support the Priests and Levites.

This first tithe, or Levite tithe, was mentioned in Num. 18:12, 21, 24.

The second tithe, or festival tithe, was used to pay for their annual sacred celebrations (Deut. 12:17-18; 14:23).

The third tithe, or poor tithe, was given to support the poor, orphans, and widows (Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12-13). The “Levite tithe” and the “festival tithe” were ongoing each year. The “poor tithe” was taken only every third year. This meant that the three tithes amounted to an average giving of twenty three percent (23%) per year.

1. Do also note that this is the only place in the Bible where God says, “Test me now in this” (i.e. He wants us to test Him in the giving of tithes and offerings). All the other “testing” references in the Bible are of God challenging us for our testing of Him. Jesus summed this up in answering Satan in Luke 4:12, “And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’ 

2. This passage also indicates a blessing for those who give a tithe. It is obvious to those who do tithe, that God blesses them. This is often in ways non-tithers can’t see or understand. The tither’s money is blessed and stretched. You rarely, if ever, hear someone who tithes complaining about their giving. It is the non-giver who often complains and makes excuses for the financial reasons regarding why they don’t give or tithe. If you should ever hear a tither complaining, that is an indicator that something in their life is currently out of balance; spiritually, physically, mentally, or financially.

3. The reference to the “devourer” is very interesting and important to comprehend. Understand, everyone tithes whether they like it or not. It is simply a matter of where the 10% ends up. The giving of the tithe is blessed, and then protected and stretched by God. When we withhold the tithe, the devourer is allowed to come in and take ten percent by destroying a portion of our income, revenues, or harvest? Or we can lose ten percent through increased expenses; i.e. our car breaks down more often, we spend more for medical expenses, or we spend more for purchases. The ten percent is devoured one way or the other.

4. As we read this passage, we have to ask the question, “Are all the nations calling the Christian community blessed today?” The answer is, “No!” Often, people look toward the local churches and say or think, “Why would I want your God? He’s broke!” If God’s people were giving God’s minimum of ten percent, then most church budgets around the world would be four to five times larger than it is now. Historically, per capita giving in most churches is 2-3% of people’s income. If God’s people gave ten percent, then most church budgets would be 4-5 times larger than before. If this took place, then the potential for all the following could be manifested and accomplished:

1. There would be no “building programs” where the church would need to incur debt and be forced into servitude (Prov. 22:7; Rom. 13:8). In the Bible, God never used debt to build His temples and He never manifested Himself to anyone with a loan.

2. We would also be feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and those in prison. We would fully fund those “called” to the mission field, instead of sending them out partially funded and struggling to raise support. Fruitful church programs would be fully funded. We would be taking care of single parent families, who often aren’t attending church anymore. We would have the funds to impact the local community and those around us in need. And, if we were doing all this, the “unsaved” world would have their faces pressed against the windows of the church wanting to know what was going on inside! The result and outcome of all this would be that all the nations would call the Christian community blessed!

1. If anyone has a question or issue regarding the “legality” (or Law) of tithing as mentioned in the Old Testament and the four Gospel’s, just remember that:

1. Abraham tithed to the High Priest Melchizedek 400 years before the Law was ever written (see Gen. 14:18-20).

2. Jesus actually confirms the tithe when addressing the Pharisees in Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42. He addresses their tithing of everything; even down to their spices of mint, anise and cumin. He then tells them what is truly important (i.e. the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith); and then adds that their attitudes are wrong. He finishes by telling them to get their attitudes right, but also not to neglect the tithe.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (underline added)

• New Testament Epistle Giving (for the church and Church Body today):

Giving is directed more toward whatever each person purposes in their heart, not grudgingly, not under compulsion, cheerfully, and God will supply all sufficiency. (Read all of 2 Cor. 8-9)

2 Cor 9:7-9 states:

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

The Key New Testament Epistle (Church Body) Principle to study and understand, is that all mentioned Epistle giving is sacrificial giving!

This “sacrificial giving” reminds us of Luke 21:1-4 and Jesus observing the widow’s gift, “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”

• What are other key application principles are found in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9?

1. The Macedonians gave from their abundance of joy and deep poverty with liberality; begging   to give (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Also note in vs. 3 that generosity was both proportionate and sacrificial, “For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,” Add to that verse 8:12, “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” So, we must be ready, and one must also have the financial resources that should be available to give.

2. Giving proves the sincerity of our love and funds fellow Christians going through hardships.

(2 Ch. 8:6-8)

“So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.”

3. It is not about who gains the most money or wealth; and giving should not bring the receiver into a higher economic position than the giver. Also, the need should be confirmed. This can be accomplished through mature church leaders or trained financial counselors. Epistle giving centers upon Christians caring for one another and reaching the eternally lost, as stated in

2 Cor. 8:13-15, “For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

Important Note: The early church did pool their money together to survive (read the story of Barnabas in Acts 4:32-37). However, that is not the mandate for the Church (the Body of Christ) today. We are to give sacrificially, but we are not called to pool all our money together and live like a commune. We are called to be generous and ready to share with the Body of Christ and those God calls us to give to and care for. If severe persecution returns, Believers may be forced to group tighter together again in order to survive. We know from the book of Revelation, persecution is coming to the nation of Israel, and those people saved during the Great Tribulation.  

4. Giving supplies seed for sowing and increases the harvest of our righteousness (read 2 Cor. 9:6-15). Note that a prepared heart for giving needs to be present. In farming, the Sower doesn’t keep the seeds in the bag or barn (they will rot). A Sower must put the seeds in the ground to grow. The Sower must give them up (they invest them). The seed must be buried (i.e. the Sower must die to self). If we want to reap a large harvest, we can’t consume the harvest; we must reinvest the seeds. Doing so produces an increase, and results in thanksgiving to God.

A Note here about sowing, harvest time and providing for the needs of the poor:

As the landowner, it was their responsibility at harvest time to leave the outside edges of their crops intact. It was left so the poor could glean from these crops and feed their family. Not only did it feed some of the poor, but it also gave them the dignity of going into the field and working for the food they obtained. This is a great example of God’s welfare system. Compare that to where our welfare system is today. (This is also covered in giving questions #3 and #4.)

• Other key Bible passages which give us direction include:

I Cor 16:1-4, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.”

Ex. 34:27, "You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord".

Prov. 3:9-10, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine".

These passages encourage us:

1. To give regularly.

2. To give proportionately (to give in percentages, not in flat dollar amounts).

3. To give of our first fruits (our giving is the first disbursement of income and increase, not the last). However, be alert to being legalistic regarding this “first disbursement.” It is the attitude and intent of the heart that God honors, not the act of always being the very first disbursement or check we write.

This concludes question #2 regarding giving – When Do We Give and How Much? Should you have any questions regarding this article, contact us. If you question or doubt your eternal salvation, contact us and ask for: “The ABC’s of Salvation.” Our next Loose Change article will address question #3 in this series regarding, “What are the eight most often asked questions about giving.”

What Are The Eight Most Often Asked Questions About Giving? - Question 1

People continually ask, or want to know, what the Bible teaches about the subject of giving. This is the start of a biblical study on this important topic. What we quickly discovered when consolidating all the giving related passages, all our acquired notes, and our published “Getting Your Financial House In Order” book, is that this subject is too extensive for one Loose Change article. Let’s begin by addressing and answering one of the eight most often asked questions about giving: 

1. Why do we give to God? (i.e. through churches, non-profit organizations, and charities, etc.)

• First, because God is the “owner” of everything, including our money, wealth, and assets. We give in acknowledgement of His ownership:

Psalm 24:1; “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.”

Deut. 10:14; “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the 

earth and everything in it.”  

Haggai 2:8; “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, declares the Lord Almighty.”

John 3:27; “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.”

• Old Testament giving centers upon giving in a “reverent” fear of the Lord God – He is God!

Deut. 14:23 “… so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.” 

• New Testament Gospel Giving centers upon attitudes, and the continuation of the concept of “Tithing” (giving 10%) as instructed in the Old Testament.

Matt. 6:3-4, “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Matt. 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42 Jesus challenges the Pharisee’s wrong attitudes about giving, but He still affirms the giving of the tithe.

Luke 3:10-11, “And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

Luke 6:30-31, “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”

Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

• New Testament Epistle giving centers upon giving in response to “God’s grace” toward us:

(Read all of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9)

2 Cor. 8:1-2 “Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.”

2 Cor. 8:7 “But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.”

• Our Role as God’s “Stewards”

God is the “owner” of everything, and we are the “stewards” of His resources (read Matt. 25:14-30). Everything we have belongs to God; i.e. our life, marriage, family, resources, business, etc. As “stewards” we do not own anything! However, we are to manage God’s money and resources well, and only according to His instructions as found in the Bible. This includes His instructions regarding giving, as balanced by God’s clear dispensations, and outlined and illustrated in this series of articles regarding giving.

• A key note and reminder::

We don’t give to get closer to God. We give as a result of already having become close to God. It is a response and attitude that stems from our loving God and His only Son, believing by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, and then being led by the indwelling Holy Spirit and through the study of His Word.

Sometimes, new Believers (Christians), even when prompted by the Holy Spirit, have not yet stepped out in faith and started giving to God’s Work. We should encourage them to take those first baby steps and give something. I’m sure we have all heard testimonies on how this small act of giving in turn draws the person even closer to God.

However, we must be very clear at this point. Never does giving money to God amount to someone obtaining eternal salvation with God in heaven. Salvation only comes by faith in Jesus Christ alone. It never comes by works, or by giving money to God, a church, or a charity.

Eph. 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  

This ends question #1 regarding giving – Why do we give to God? Should you have any questions regarding your eternal salvation, contact us and ask for: “The ABC’s of Salvation” Our next Loose Change article will address question #2 in this series of, “What are the most often asked questions about giving.”