The World versus Christianity on Giving

A thought to ponder this week as it relates to giving.

My pastor recently talked about the difference in the way "the world" sees giving and how Christians should see it. For the world, he said the following summarized how the majority of people felt about accumulating and sharing financial resources:

• Get all you can.
• Can all you get.
• Sit on the can.

He contrasted this with how Christians should view giving -- that the truth is actually the opposite of the world's point of view. The Christian perspective is that it's more blessed to give than receive. Specifically, here's what it says in Acts 20:35 (NIV):

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

For more thoughts on giving from me, see these links:

• Sacrificial Generosity

• What Scripture Says about Money and Giving

• Practical Advice from an Experienced Giver

• The Most Good for Your Charity Dollar - Looking at Your Giving as an Investment

Comments

[Ralph]

It seems that by lumping all non-Christian religions together as part of "the world" you are implying that the Christian religion is more pro-giving that any/all others. I'm not an expert on religious studies, but this seems to be an overly ambitious statement. Even from casual observance Christianity doesn't seem to be more pro-giving than many other major religions.

Be proud of being a giving Christian, but don't get religist about it.

[Matthew]

That's pretty offensive. Charity, or zakat in Islam, or daana in Hindu, or Tzedakah in Judaism, is one of the most common threads that unite the major monotheistic religions of the world. All three religions compel those who have, to give to those who have not. Charity is even one of the five pillars of Islam, equivalent to a commandment in the Christian sense.

As an atheist, I give to charity because I believe it's the right thing to do, not because a religous text suggests that I should.

Your minister is creating a divisive environment when he pits the Christian world against the rest of it. Could you offer some compelling citations that, by and large, non-Christians view charitable giving as a hoarding opportunity? I'd suggest that their canons of religious text are already at odds with your assertion.

Two thumbs down on this one, FMF.

[monkeyjoe]

I used to actually like reading this blog, but the christian rhetoric has become too great. Such ignorant statements you have made, and this is by far the worst.

I will no longer be subcribing to this blog.

[Amateur Investment]

I don't think FMF is making distinctions on different religions and their ability to give. I think he is talking about the secular world vs. the religious world. I could be wrong, but this is my take on this. I also like the religious rethoric on Sundays. It gives a different perspective on personal finance, Giving. Everyone is focused on getting out of debt or making that first million. Let us not forget that there are less fortunate people out there and it is better to give than receive.

[Not Convinced]

Wow. Those Christians sure are great, giving rather than receiving.

Oh wait, that's what they _should_ do not, as a general rule, what they _do_ do.

I guess this one, like most religious dogma, falls into the category of "Do as I preach, not as I do.".

Good grief.

[Bobby]

I've been known to sit on the can. And believe me, I give alot after some spicy thai food.

[JonPostal]

Great post. Sounds like you sparked a bit of debate!

I would encourage you to continue writing about your Christian views of money. As a Christian you can not seperate finances and your faith. I'm sure you have heard that Jesus spoke more about fincancial issues than any other topic. I think that money and giving was just as much of a hot topic in the days of JC as it is today.

For the folks who have posted defensive comments...please note that by writting, "the following summarized how the majority of people felt about accumulating and sharing financial resources" he was not painting everybody in "the world" with the same brush...room was left for the people in "the world" who are generous and giving. On the same note the author wrote about "how Christians should view giving"..."should" being the key word here.
I'm sure everybody out there knows people who do not claim to be Christians that are actually very generous. You also probably know Christians who maybe do not give anything. I think the author of this post was simply stating how Christians should view giving and finances...nothing more, nothing less.

Jon Postal
beyoungandrich.blogspot.com

[Cynner]

My question to FMF: Do you believe what your minister said?

[JLP]

FMF did not say Christians are like that. Rather, he said Christians SHOULD be like that. So, it's not a "Christians-are-better..." reference.

[FMF]

Wow, maybe next time I'll throw some politics in just to spice things up a bit. ;-)

Here's what I have to add to clarify my writing on money/the Bible:

1. It's done every Sunday. If you don't want to read it, don't visit on Sunday.

2. I'm going to keep doing it. It's a good reminder (to me if to no one else) of what really matters. Money isn't the end all and be all.

3. I write from the Christian perspective because that's my faith -- hence my writings have a Christian angle.

4. I do not write these posts to be offensive (I save my offensive stuff for how much pets cost), so if you're offended I'd suggest you re-read the post because it's likely that you've mis-read it.

5. If you'd re-read the post above, the point is that most people try to get all they can for themselves to the exclusion of helping others. Do I believe this? Yes, I do. Look at giving rates in the U.S. and you'll see that the average household gives somewhere around 2-2.5% of its income away. Look at the debt people accumulate to buy "stuff." Compare the amount spent on soda in the U.S. to amount spent on feeding the homeless. Numbers don't lie.

Do Christian do any better? Nope. Last I looked, their giving was at similar levels (around the 2-3% rate).

SHOULD Christians be doing better if they want to follow the teachings of their faith? Yes, of course. Just read the posts I've done on past Sundays. I think I've made that point pretty clear.

[G.]

I support you in your efforts to spread the good word. No matter how much you accumulate here, you can't take it with you when you go. What matters most is your deeds and the number of people you help.

[Mark deHoog]

I personally think this 'ministers' statement about 'the world' is a misread. I think the principles of giving [which are divinely based] really are more something that help people to break away from vices such as pride, greed, and avarice. I am a Chrisitan and I disagree with what this minister is saying ... I agree with Ralphs thought "but this seems to be an overly ambitious statement"

Chrsitian theology of econimics and anthropology is sometimes a bit strange... maybe this could be more a wake up to those that tend to just believe what everyone else tells them.

[RSN]

FMF, I for one, appreciate the Sunday section. Keep it up.

[mbhunter]

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12)

Keep on keeping on, FMF.

[Golbguru]

FMF you have the right to free speech (read free documentation) and hence I will take this post as a mere documentation of what your pastor said.

About the pastor, he just biased a whole lot of people against the rest of the world for no reason; or perhaps with a subtle reason (?) and that's not good. I am sure you will read his unsaid fine print.

[William Tanksley]

Good heavens, there are a lot of easily offended people here. I wonder if any of the offended ones are very giving?

Seriously, look at the post and apply a little reading. Nobody is dividing Christian from non-Christian on the basis of generosity! He's saying that MOST people (Christian or non-Christian) believe and act according to one set of rules, but Christians ought to follow an entirely different set if they wish to follow Christ (and how else could they be called Christians?).

Now, if the pastor had wished to, he could have said the same thing about Buddhists, and been speaking truly. But because he wasn't speaking to Buddhists, that would have been a waste of time -- none of his listeners would be motivated to do something on the grounds that he (a minister of Christianity) told them that it would make them better Buddhists.

-Billy

[William Tanksley]

I think I may see a legitimate reason to gripe here -- the headline establishes the article as being Christianity versus the world. Please keep in mind that "the world" in the headline means the World as a whole/on the average, NOT every single person in the world. (If it meant the latter, it would have to include all Christians as well, which results in a trivial contradiction.)

It's also notable (although not something that the average person could be expected to know) that the concept of a distinction between the world and Christians comes from the Greek scriptures, in which the word used is tranliterated 'kosmos', meaning something like "the machine" or "the system".

[Terrill Standifer]

kosmos is a greek word that is translated World. It is where we get the term Cosmology, Cosmos, etc. There is also the term 'geh' (that would be an english spelling) that is used for the actually Earth.

The verse that the pastor has in mind is Romans 12:2 "But be not conformed to this this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. " The greek word here is actually 'aon', (another English spelling) closely meaning age.

It is the concept that as Christians we should live by a higher calling and not have the same ambitions of a world or age of people that live for themselves. You may find that offensive to group other people, other religions or not into that category, but the pastors motives are pure. He is calling his congregation to get past materialism and become what Christ called them to be.

Terrill