Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving
to God.
From 2 Corinthians 9: 6-11
OLD TESTAMENT PRECEDENT
Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (priests) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Deuteronomy 14:29
In Malachi 3:8-12, God accuses his people of robbing Him by not bringing in to the storehouse their whole tithe (10%).
In the New Testament, Jesus said “The worker deserves his wages”.
Luke 10:7
CHURCH IN CORINTH CHALLENGED
Since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you: see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:7-9
Paul’s secret of contentment
Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. …. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. From 1 Timothy 6:6-19
Jesus’ instructions on giving
“When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, to be honoured by others. When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
From Matthew 6:2-4
How much should I give?
Initially, you may find it more helpful to consider giving to the Church like a regular subscription? Many of us belong to gyms, sports clubs etc and we pay monthly. But, how much should I give? The Bible talks about giving a tithe; that is 10% of what we earn each month. But that may be an impossible number for you. If you consider it like a membership subscription, how much would you give?
As an individual , if your finances are stretched, perhaps you could think about what you could do without in order to give each month?
