Our Heart is on Display: What our Giving says About Us
~1200 words - Five Minutes - but well worth it…
I get involved in a lot of conversations as to how we talk about faith and money in the church. They are mostly conversations about tactical matters. Do I tithe on gross or net? Does my tithe have to go to the church? There is nothing wrong with these conversations but I feel like there is a much bigger conversation that is missing.
Giving is a part of our worship. When we give, it shows what is in our heart. Therefore, the bigger question is what are we giving and why are we giving it?
When it comes to money and resources, are you encouraging your people to give their first and best? Or are you unconsciously letting them give what’s left and last?I get involved in a lot of conversations as to how we talk about faith and money in the church. They are mostly conversations about tactical matters. Do I tithe on gross or net? Does my tithe have to go to the church? There is nothing wrong with these conversations but I feel like there is a much bigger conversation that is missing.
Giving is a part of our worship. When we give, it shows what is in our heart. Therefore, the bigger question is what are we giving and why are we giving it?
When it comes to money and resources, are you encouraging your people to give their first and best? Or are you unconsciously letting them give what’s left and last?
Let’s look at an example of what Scripture says very early on in the Old Testament.
Genesis 1-2 is the creation story. Genesis 3 is the fall of man. Genesis 4 begins the “rest of the story” – God’s journey of redemption and reconciliation with sinful, fallen mankind, culminating in the cross.
In Genesis 4, the very first story after the defiled creation, is a giving story. Cain and Abel. This should tell us something. Genesis 4:2-5: “Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.”
What we see is a test of the two men's hearts. They both brought a gift. While Cain brought only “some of the fruits” of the soil, Abel brought his first and his best: fat portions from the firstborn in his flock.
And so the question that you have to ask is, not only what did Abel give, but why? Then you ask the same question of Cain, what did he give, and why? And we see his heart revealed so clearly. We see the darkness of Cain’s heart exposed right off the bat. But Abel is dedicated, and says God, I'm going to trust you with my first and best. It’s not a small thing that he gave a firstborn, unblemished animal. Abel making this offering that was his first and best is reflective of what we see in the supremacy of Christ. What we give and why is a heart issue, not a wallet issue. We have to lean in to understand the nuance and the difference.
When we give, our hearts are on display.
We don’t just see this in the Old Testament. We also see it on display many times in the New Testament as Jesus tackles giving and the heart issues surrounding it. Every time Jesus unpacks money, it's Him wanting to unlock something in us. He's diagnosing with His words and observations.
The New Testament elevates the standard, encouraging generous, consistent, and joyful giving.
Generous giving is exemplified through the Apostle Paul's encouragement to the church at Corinth, citing the Macedonians' sacrificial giving (2 Cor 8:3).
Consistency in giving is emphasized when Paul advises setting aside funds regularly on the first day of the week (1 Cor 16:3).
Giving joyfully is highlighted as a matter of the heart, not a compulsory obligation (2 Cor 9:7).
As pastors and leaders, if we could truly embrace the idea that navigating conversations around giving was about healing hearts and doing what's best for the people in the congregation, it would be freeing and life-giving. But so many of us are wrapped up in the burden of handling the money conversation the wrong way.
Many pastors are much too transactional when they do have the conversation. That is not a biblical approach, and it limits our ability to speak with authority on the topic. Instead, it usually looks more like speaking about giving reluctantly or even in an apologetic way.
In order to speak confidently and boldly about giving, we have to embrace what Paul said in Philippians 4:17: “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.” He’s explaining that it's not really about the gifts that were made to Paul’s ministry. It's what happened to people’s hearts when they made the gift – that’s what Paul got excited about!
Let the text speak for itself. Philippians 4:17 is the overlay for everything else you say about giving. This is a test of the heart more than it's a test of the wallet. And if it's a test of the heart, then it's a transformational conversation. As we go through this transformation, we will want to give our first and best when it comes to not only our finances, but also our time, talents, and other resources.
What are some practical ways pastors can encourage a culture of generosity that involves giving our first and best, just like Abel did in Genesis 4?
Reframe the conversation
You can’t ignore the topics of budgets, but make it an inspirational, transformational discussion. Explain how the budget aligns with the church's God-given mission and vision. Encourage conversations about what the church could achieve with increased giving, and invite people to explore their next step in generosity, not for funding the budget but for their own spiritual growth.
Openly discuss your own giving journey
The giving journey of senior and lead pastors should serve as the foundation for cultivating a culture of giving and generosity in your church. Share your experiences openly, including the struggles, to normalize conversations about money. Focus on God's work in your heart, not the specific amount or percentage you have given or that you’re giving now.
Get clear on your church’s giving theology
Not everyone is on the same page about giving or what it means to be a generous giver. Don’t assume people know what certain terms mean, such as “tithe” and “offering.” They do not know, but they should. Make sure you explain it as a spiritual discipline, not a financial exercise.
Prioritize your weekly giving moment
If you don’t prioritize this short time in your service to talk about generosity as a spiritual discipline, not just a financial matter, people won’t understand. This moment should also involve expressing gratitude to those who give faithfully to the church and first-time givers.
When people understand that giving is about transformation, everything else tends to work itself out from there. Whatever your call to action at the end of the service is for giving, remember that no one will resolve all of this right then and there. Giving is an ongoing journey, like progressive sanctification, that won’t be finished until we take our last breath when we are united with Him eternally.
As always, I am available for further conversation on any of this if you’d like to talk. You can reach me at jim@generis.com.
Don’t Forget NEXT SUNDAY - The podcast with Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer
In 1968, 55% of people ages 18-24 lived with their parents. In 2023, that number has grown to 71%.
This week, Jim and Frank discuss the critical issue of staying connected with young adults as societal changes and shifts in the timing of traditional life milestones leave them isolated in ministry. They delve into the alarming statistics and share practical strategies for maintaining relationships with students to ensure they stay engaged with their faith and community.
We'll explore how to balance the practical and spiritual aspects of nurturing young adults, including:
The shift in young adult life stages, and its impact on ministry
Importance of consistent communication and relationship building with college students
A strategy that bridges the gap between youth and adult ministry
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