GIVING UNDER THE NEW COVENANT

A Summary of Principles

1. GIVING IS FAIR GAME. It is not some private part of our lives in which we do whatever we want and that is nobody else’s business. In this area, as in all others, we are subject to the Lordship of Christ as revealed in his Word.

2. GIVING IS BOTH OBLIGATORY AND VOLUNTARY. It’s not either/or. We give to the Lord out of obedience, but we also do it willingly and cheerfully, out of love for him and his Church.

3. GIVING IS ECCLESIASTICAL. In other words, giving should be directed toward the branch of the visible church of which you are a part. While God’s people are free to use their financial resources to support a variety of worthy causes, one’s support of the local church is a matter of moral obligation.

4. GIVING IS REGULAR. We shouldn’t give in “fits and starts.” We should have a regular, budgeted commitment to the Lord’s work which we make every effort to fulfill.

5. GIVING IS PROPORTIONAL. The more you have, the more you should give. While the tithing laws were in effect under the Old Covenant, there is no prescribed proportion under the New Covenant. But you know how much you make, you know how much you give. Does the one correspond to the other?

6. GIVING IS RESPONSIVE. When we hear of pressing needs in the work of the Kingdom or among God’s people, we should be eager to take part and meet the need.

7. GIVING IS PRIVILEGED. We do not regard giving as a burden, as somehow the “dark side” of commitment to Christ and his Church. No—it is an honor God bestows upon us to allow us to participate in such a high and worthy cause.

8. GIVING IS SACRIFICIAL. Who can quantify sacrifice? One person’s sacrifice is another’s drop in the bucket. It is fair to say, though, that if we, in our giving to the Lord’s work, have never felt the pinch, have never had to forego something we wanted, have never had our standard of living lowered by our financial commitment to the Kingdom, then we are not giving enough.

9. GIVING IS EXPRESSIVE. It shows who we are, where our heart is. Talk is cheap. If we really love Christ and his Church, then we will show ourselves to be devoted servants, especially in the area of financial support.

10. GIVING IS TRUSTING. When we give above and beyond our ability, we prove that we are really trusting God to meet our needs. Why don’t we give more than we do? Perhaps it’s because we have doubts about a heavenly Father who richly provides for the needs of his children.

11. GIVING IS REWARDED. As the Bible declares and as countless saints have found throughout the ages, as we give to the Lord the Lord gives to us. The old cliché is true: you can’t outgive God!

For an extended biblical treatment of the topic, please see 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 8-9.