#3 – The Bible teaches a three-fold framework for generous giving
Whenever we talk with people about the subject of generosity, we’ve all been asked about what the biblical standard for giving is. Simply put, people want to know how much they’re supposed to give. As we’ve worked through the Scriptures, for the study notes project, we’ve found this question to be both problematic and yet quite necessary.
The Bible is not a simple rulebook. And so, if we look to the Bible for a simple rule on giving, we are bound for disappointment. At that same time, we recognize that we need to look for a biblical “standard” and ask the “how much?” question if we want to become more generous.
On the other hand, we should be concerned about the opposite tendency to shy away from the question of “obligation” or biblical standard altogether because this tends to lead people to downplay or ignore the radical financial demands that Jesus makes on us as his disciples (e.g. Luke 14:25-35).
So the question is: Where does this leave us? There are three biblical “constants” which make up a framework within which Christians may give with Spirit-led freedom.
A. Caring about what God cares about—the weightier matters of the Law (Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 23:23)
Refusing to respond to their needs means that we are not merely lacking in generosity—it means that we have actually forsaken our Lord Jesus himself.
B. Applying the Greatest Commandment to our money and possessions (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37)
The point is not the precise percentage that we give; it is whether we are actually treating the needs and desires of others to be as significant as ours. Biblical generosity calls us to care about these people like we care about ourselves and, therefore, to take their needs into account when we are making financial decisions in the same way in which we would want them to take our needs into account if our situations were reversed.
C. Imitating Jesus’ Example on the Cross (1 John 3:16-18; 2 Cor 8-9)
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:16-17
The true measure of our generosity is the degree to which our giving brings us into closer conformity with Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.
Generous Giving’s Stewardship Study Notes are a passage-by-passage thematic commentary covering issues of stewardship and generosity in all sixty-six books of the Bible. These lessons are excerpts that come from a paper that was originally presented to the leadership of Generous Giving. To find out more, visit: www.generousgiving.org