Returning tithe is the part of God’s financial plan of living-by-faith that is evenly applied to all believers. After we return tithe, the remaining portion of our income is ours to use as God directs us. When we give offerings from this part of our income, it is supposed to be a happy experience because we give with a willing heart. Giving offerings is an important part of God’s financial plan because it teaches us many lessons:
- to be generous,
- to rely on God,
- to see the needs around us,
- to care about what God cares about,
- to be careful with God’s money,
- and to store up treasures in Heaven.
There is not an amount or a percentage calculation that applies evenly to all people, so what we give will be a personal matter between each person or family and God.
Principles for Giving
In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes about giving, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” In the same chapter, Paul further expresses divine principles that should direct our giving, “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality” (2 Corinthians 9:12-14). From what Paul wrote, the following principles are applicable to us:
- Be intentional and plan your giving. Pray and ask God to show you your blessings so you can give intelligently. If you receive an abundance, let that be a time of greater giving.
- Give what you are happy to give. If you give grudgingly or reluctantly, the gift is not acceptable to God. Our giving needs to match what is in our heart, and we can’t deceive God by making grand offerings.
- Give what fits in your budget so that you can take care of your family’s needs. We should let God guide us in all of our budgeted expenses. If we are spending 10% of our income on entertainment but can’t afford more than 1% for giving to God, then our priorities are out of balance. We also should not promise God that we will give Him the portion of our income that He gives to meet the immediate needs of our family. God gives us an income to cover the expenses of necessary food, clothing, and housing. If giving more to God means that your family would need to ask others for help or lack essential nutrition, then ask God to lead you to give what you can even if it is a small offering.
- Learn the difference between needs (necessities) and wants (luxuries). We shouldn’t be in the habit of demanding luxuries when others in the family of God are struggling to survive without the necessities.
- Look around you to see the needs of others. When we see the conditions of life for people in other places, we realize that others may be burdened much more by poverty than we are. God wants there to be fairness in His church rather than having many who are starving while others suffer from over-consumption.
Giving is voluntary, meaning that we choose what and how to give. But giving is not optional. In fact, God calls withholding offerings robbery (Malachi 3:8). Giving should not be done for recognition or for prestige as the people of Israel sometimes did in Old Testament times, “…proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; for this you love, you children of Israel!” says the Lord God” (Amos 4:5). In the New Testament, Jesus said, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3-4). Giving shouldn’t leave us broke, but giving that does not involve any sacrifice at all doesn’t indicate that we understand the value of what Jesus has done for us. King David illustrated this when he said, “‘nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing’” (2 Samuel 24:24). Malachi 1:8 confirms this, “‘And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Paul instructed the believers to make giving a regular and systematic part of their budget, not something that they did occasionally if they had a noticeable surplus. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem” (1 Corinthians 16:1-3).
Reasons to Give
There were different occasions in the Bible when people were prompted to make an offering to God.
- When they had inadvertently transgressed God’s law (Leviticus 4)
- When they were thankful for God’s blessings or had fulfilled a vow to God (Leviticus 7:11-21)
- To supporting the work of God’s church (Exodus 35:10-29)
- Thanking God for His provision by offering the first of the harvest to Him (Exodus 23:19)
- Giving to share with the needy locally (Acts 4:34-35)
- Giving to share with the needy far away (Romans 16:26)
- Care for and restoration of the House of God (2 Chronicles 24:8-14)
What should we give to?
The joy of giving to God (offerings, not returning tithes) is that you can give in any way that God directs you. There are regular needs that churches and ministries have, and they will only continue if they receive systematic support from God’s people. You can support local missionaries, foreign missions, Bible translation, centers of influence in large cities, caring for orphans, true medical missionary work, true education, and much more. In the Bible, offerings were made through the channel of the Sanctuary or through God’s chosen leaders. This insured that the offerings were used for God’s ordained work and not misused by individuals. When you give, remember to pray for the ministries you have supported. In that way, you can work alongside others even though you are far away.
Finally, ask God to instruct you. It’s all His money, and He is aware of your needs as well as the needs of others. “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).