How much money should I give to my church?

God promises blessings in exchange for tithe

The Rev. Paul Gray, pastor, Heartland Community Church, 619 Vt.:

Before we give, God wants us to first know some basic spiritual principles about money.

First: It all belongs to him; he gives us the ability to earn it; and he wants us to steward it wisely. Once we understand those basics, then he wants us to earn money honestly, give money generously, spend money wisely and invest money carefully. When we do all four, we will have plenty to give and giving won’t seem like a hardship.

God has a beginning standard – a tithe (10 percent) – that should always be given to the church where you receive spiritual nourishment, biblical teaching, fellowship, community care and encouragement.

God never calls us to forgo paying our obligations in order to give to his church. But he does ask us to carefully distinguish between our “wants” and our “needs.”

He also promises to bless us generously when we do tithe. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Then he will fill your barns with grain and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.” While that proverb was written 3,000 years ago in an agrarian society, the principle holds true today.

My experience has been that once I’ve established a pattern in my life of honoring God in every area of my finances, including the tithe to my local church, then from time to time, he prompts me to give “over and above” to people, good causes and ministries. When I do so cheerfully, not only does that please God, it seems to open his floodgates of blessings on me – sometimes financially – but always spiritually and relationally.

That’s when we find out it really is more blessed to give than to receive.

Send e-mail to hartland@sunflower.com.

Proper motives essential in Christian service

The Rev. Bill Hurlbutt, senior pastor, Christ Community Church, 1100 Kasold Drive:

How much should a person give to their church? Wow – what a question for a pastor to answer. Actually, my answer doesn’t matter nearly as much as God’s does.

When I go to a doctor for my annual checkup, he usually begins by poking, prodding and pressing me in various places looking for signs of trouble. Usually he’ll ask me if it hurts as he joyfully makes me squirm. If I cry out in pain, one of two things has happened: Either I have a problem with an oversensitive area or my good old “doc” is pushing on me a bit too hard.

I remember one time when he found a very sensitive spot and immediately recommended that I see a specialist. There was something wrong; it was hurting where it wasn’t supposed to.

It reminds me of what it is like when pastors preach on financial responsibility. Many times there are listeners who complain of discomfort, denouncing the message as well as the messenger.

But what does God say? The Bible is clear that proper motives are essential in any Christian service. This is especially true in the giving of our money. The Lord is more concerned with why we give than the amount we give. We must have a right heart attitude. Therefore we should never give in order to receive the praise of others or monetary reward, but rather because we love God and desire to see his name honored and glorified.

The believer that truly recognizes the gracious gift of Jesus’ death on the Cross of Calvary will never have sensitive areas when it comes to giving to God. He knows he has been bought with a price: the precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Send e-mail to p.b@1inchrist.org.