Giving for Financial Prosperity
by Dale S. Ditto, Trustee
Giving is a vital part of financial prosperity. In fact, I do not believe you can be in good health financially without giving to God and to others.
This is another area where the financial counsel of the Bible is at odds with the financial counsel of the world. The world says, “get all you can,” while the Bible says “It is more profitable to give than to receive.” If we truly believe the Bible, why is it that most of us spend much more time and effort figuring out how to accumulate more and how to protect what we have, than we do trying to plan how we can give strategically?
The statistics show that Christians give only marginally greater amounts to charity than non-Christians do. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average taxpayer gives only 1.7% of his adjusted gross income to charity. One expert has calculated that Evangelical Christians as a group give only a dollar a day to foreign missions, or $365.00 a year. More money is spent in this country on dog food or chewing gum than is given to charities each year. Our actions show that we truly do not believe that it is better to give than receive.
Why don’t Christians give as they should?
- Christians don’t give because they don’t realize how blessed they are. Many of us do not recognize and give thanks for our financial prosperity. Instead, we are constantly struggling to get more and “keep up with the Joneses.” If we took inventory of the rich blessings we have, and if we compared our lifestyles to the lifestyles of ninety-five percent of the people in other countries, we would be much more generous. We can do things today that kings a hundred years ago could not do. But we are so busy trying to get more that we do not appreciate what we have.
- Christians often don’t give because they don’t plan to give. Most of us don’t give until after we have spent everything that we want. Then we can only give what is left over. For most of us, nothing is left over. Therefore, it is important to plan to give at the beginning and to set aside the money to be given to the Lord and others.
- Many people don’t give because they don’t know how. Many people don’t realize that there are many ways to give without disrupting the cash flow. For example, there may be assets that you have which are fully depreciated, or not currently producing any income, that may be given away to charitable trusts or community foundations which would actually result in greater cash flow for you and a sizeable gift to charity.
What are the advantages of giving?
- Freedom from Greed and Miserliness. Giving is the only way to free yourself from the bondage that your wealth can hold on you. Many times people who have a large amount of money are held in bondage by their wealth. It isolates them from other people, and they are always fearful that someone will try to take what they have. Greed is a form of idolatry. Giving is a way to demonstrate our trust and obedience to God. The Bible warns us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The only way to avoid loving money too much is to regularly give some of what you have.
- Increase in Intimacy with Christ. Giving directs our attention and heart to Christ. Matthew 6:21 tells us, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” That is why it is necessary to go through the process of consciously giving a gift to the person of Jesus Christ. When you give to Him, your heart will automatically be drawn to the Lord.
- Store up Treasures in Heaven. We have all seen the bumper sticker that says, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” We laugh at this because we know that we cannot take our wealth with us at death. However, while we cannot take it with us, we can send it on ahead. Matthew 6:20 says, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” The Lord is telling us that there is a First National Bank of Heaven where we can regularly make deposits and store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
- Abundance of Earth. I truly believe that you cannot out-give God. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Giving is one way to open the flood gates of Heaven so that you will have more to give. However, if you fail to give what you have, you close off the opportunity for God to pour out His blessings upon you. Proverbs 11:24-25 tells us, “There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results in only want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.”
Six Ways to Give with the Proper Attitude
- In Joy (II Corinthians 9:7)
- With Love (I Corinthians 13:3)
- Anonymously, When Possible (Matthew 6:1-4)
- To Help the Poor and Weak (Deuteronomy 15:7-8 and I John 3:16)
- To Spread the Gospel (Matthew 28: 19, 20)
- With Thought and Prayer (II Corinthians 9:7)
