Acts 20:33-35

The Lord wants us to make wise decisions that are based on sound biblical principles. But choices that follow His will aren’t always compatible with the world’s way of doing business. For instance, some people may be surprised that the foundational concept of God’s financial plan is to give rather than to save or invest.

Give sacrificially. Typically, when people decide how much to donate toward charity or church, they consider their income versus their expenses and choose an amount that feels comfortable and doable. In contrast, a sacrificial offering can mean that believers follow the Holy Spirit’s leading to pledge resources beyond their means. Initially, some Christians may feel worried about exercising their faith in this way. But thankfully, God has promised that He “will supply all [our] needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19), and He is totally and completely trustworthy.

Give compassionately. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” Believers with a generous spirit hold their material possessions loosely and desire to use their share of the Lord’s wealth to spread His blessing to others. A missionary, charity, or pastor does not have to beg them to part with their money.

God’s financial plan differs from any we will see in the world, but His principles have proven to be effective. The Bible and church history show that for thousands of years, Christ’s followers have chosen to give from a compassionate heart and a sacrificial spirit. And He rewards them with increased faith and enough material goods to meet all of their needs.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 8-9

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2 Corinthians 8:1-6

The first-century church in Jerusalem was impoverished. Jews who became Christians were often ostracized, and their businesses suffered as a result. This affected local giving and increased the number of poor in the community. As the church grew, resources were spread thinner and thinner. So as he traveled, the apostle Paul asked his congregations to aid the mother church.

Many of these congregations were also in financial crisis, but they pledged to help Jerusalem anyway. The Corinthian church was among those that agreed to send support (2 Cor. 8:10). To inspire them to meet or exceed their goal, Paul described the Macedonians’ sacrificial giving as an example. He noted that despite being poor, that church managed to give beyond its ability—and did so with a heart of gratitude and joy. Like the widow whom Jesus praised for giving her last coins to the temple treasury, the Macedonians gave a gift that was liberal, compared to its resources (Mark 12:43). The congregation trusted that God would provide the gift and continue to meet their needs.

Modern believers have much to learn from the Macedonians’ example. The amount we donate towards God’s work isn’t as important as our feelings about giving. Generosity is a quality of the heart—an attitude that grows out of a believer’s thankfulness for the Father’s spiritual and material provisions.

God wants us to be givers because the act of charity spiritually enriches the benefactor. The Lord will respond to a generous heart by pouring out blessing, according to His promise in Luke 6:38: “By your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 6-7

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