The Biblical Foundation of Giving

As we enter the month of November, we enter a time of thankfulness that leads up to my favorite holiday of the year…Thanksgiving. For me, Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect on how God has blessed us throughout the last 365 days. We gather with family and friends for a meal where there is no pretense or need to outdo anyone else. It’s simply to eat, talk, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. I genuinely love Thanksgiving.

Notice the last half of the word, Thanksgiving. It’s another big part of what we do as disciples of Christ. Giving. The oldest form of worship there is in the Bible is giving. We see it in the story of Cain and Able. Abram gives a tenth of everything he gained in battle. The Israelites were instructed to give from their earnings and their land. It shows up everywhere throughout the Old and New Testaments. But why do we give? It’s simply out of our thankfulness to our God and our trust in Him. So, what instruction does the Bible give us when it comes to giving?

Malachi 3:10 is a verse that often comes up when we talk about giving. It says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." This isn't just about money; it's about trust. God is saying, "Trust me with what you have, and watch how I bless you."

Another scripture that speaks to the heart of giving is 2 Corinthians 9:7. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." It's not about the amount; it's about the attitude. God loves it when we give joyfully. How much fun is it for us when we give gifts to people and get to see the look on their faces when they open it? That’s the kind of joy we need to have when giving.

Mark 12:41-44 talks about a widow who gave all she could. “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’”

This story isn't just about money; it's about being genuinely thankful and willing to sacrifice and trust. The widow gave all she had, trusting that God would provide for her needs, as He always has. It's a powerful reminder that our giving should come from a place of gratitude and faith, not obligation.

In our journey of discipleship, giving is a spiritual discipline that helps us grow closer to God. If we are following Christ, being changed by Christ, and committed to the Mission of Christ, this is one way to align our hearts with His and to participate in His work on earth. When we give, we're not just supporting the church or a cause; we're investing in the kingdom of God.

When you plant a seed, you don't see the fruit immediately. It takes time, care, and patience. But eventually, that seed grows into something beautiful and fruitful. Our giving is like planting seeds in God's kingdom. We may not see the immediate impact, but over time, those seeds grow and bear fruit.

When it comes to giving, let's remember that it's not just about money. It's about our hearts, our trust in God, our commitment to being true disciples of Christ and being thankful for all that He has given us. Giving is the responsibility of the disciple, but it needs to be about our response to an Almighty God who gives us life, not only here on earth but eternally. Besides, it’s all His anyway.