One of the principles that all of must learn as Christians is to walk by faith. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 Paul says, “We live by faith, not by sight”. Faith is the one thing God desires in us all. As it says in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Our faith proves our trust in God, and our Father in heaven desires that His children actually believe that He will provide for any and every need in our lives.
This of course includes our finances. With respect to our money, most of us are much more comfortable making decisions based upon what can be seen and reasoned. Nothing wrong with reason. God has given us a mind to use, and he expects us to be prudent and wise with it.
However, what often characterizes the Christian is a life of sight only- particularly with giving. We have those occasions when God calls us to act and obey a clear command, yet we don’t see the resources by which to obey.
The Bible clearly teaches that we are stewards of the money He has provided. He has called us to faithfully support His work on the earth through the church, and to do so as an act of faith and worship to Him (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10). He also calls us to be generous, and to meet real needs in the lives of others by the blessings we hold.
But at times, when we are called to be faithful to tithe, or to act generously toward another, we don’t find the will and the energy within ourselves to do so; nor do we see the material resources to respond. In effect, ultimately we don’t have the trust in God to act in faith.
There have been times in my life, and probably yours, when money has been tight and even downright bare. What’s odd about this problem is that it applies to those who have little or much. It seems that all of us, regardless of our income, have moments when we have financial fears. Even wealthy people have a way of living life on the margin and placing themselves in positions of periodic doubt when it comes to giving.
This goes to my very point. For the most part, we all give out of our abundance. In other words, we have ample resources to be able to give. So we give. That’s great, but it’s giving characterized by sight... or said another way- it’s giving void of faith.
Even times when we have ample resources to give—our giving should be characterized by faith. It should be done in trust for ALL God has given. It should be in response to His generosity to us. It should be willing, joyful and worshipful.
But what about times when the bank balance is low, or we’ve chosen to buy on credit, or we fell victim to materialism and made a big expenditure of some kind? What are the tensions that arise in being faithful to God then? Or even now, as we experience the fears of a bad economy?
Will our faith be one that acts only when things are comfortable and convenient? Will our giving come from faithfulness, obedience, love and thankfulness-- or from mere abundance? Will our trust in God be consistent in good times and bad? Will we walk by faith, or by sight? Will we give when it means sacrifice?
I’m reminded of the story of the widow and the small mite that she gave in the temple (Luke 21:1-4). Jesus uses this experience to contrast the giving spirit of the Pharisees to that of the poor widow. Though the Pharisees gave more in the amount of money- they gave out of their abundance. It cost them nothing. Christ praised the widow who gave just a tiny amount as an offering--but it was all she had.
You see with both the widow and the Pharisees, their giving revealed their heart. And it’s the heart that matters most in God’s economy.
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