Christian Giving Cannot Out-Give God

When Christian giving is thought of, there is the Church, charity, and we give generously to our family and friends when they are in need. We give of our time to worth causes, and we give our love to everyone we meet, even those who are hard to love. We give and give, because that is what God tells us to do.

This is good and right.

However, we often get so caught up in our own Christian giving that it can almost become an obsession. We try to give the most of anyone we know, hoping that if we give enough, that we'll be good enough for God.

One thing that is very important to remember is that no matter how hard we try, we can never out give God.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

A Direct Benefit of Obedience

These windows tell me that I cannot out give God no matter how much Christian giving I do. No, it is not a contest but a promise. A direct benefit of obedience. Did you know that this is the only place that God says to test (prove) him in? Many of you reading this know what this is talking about from firsthand experience.

That extra bag of groceries that mysteriously appeared. The broken car that “just started working.” The $100 bill that came in the mail. And on and on.

You may not have known that you were in competition with God in the giving game, but for too many of us, it is a subconscious thing. We think that if we can give more than God, that we will somehow be worthy. We forget that everyone is unworthy until they profess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior. If you have not done this, then no amount of giving is going to make up for our sins, because God is the ultimate giver of all.

Think about it. God gives us life. There cannot be any more Christian giving than that, but he took it a step further and not only gave life to US, but gave US HIS own life so that we could be saved. This is the ultimate in charity – and no one can top it. So forget trying to give more than God because you cannot. Instead, concentrate on giving out of obedience and a right heart (motives).

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

A Proper Perspective

Focus on the gifts God has given us. We have our families,

our friends, food, water, talents, abilities, and the beauty of the earth in addition to our very lives. We humans are the ultimate charitable project and our benefactor is God.

While Christian giving is good, as a way of thanks for what we have been given, we can not out give the ultimate giver of the universe.

The next article in this Christian Finance Principles series will explore three foundational biblical principles of Christian money management.

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