More on Giving Now Versus Later

In God Wants Your Heart, Not Your Money, I responded to a reader who wondered if it was better to save and invest his money, then give it all away when he died -- rather than give a smaller amount away now.

One of my readers responded to both my thoughts as well as the original question brought up by the questioner. Here's the comment:

FMF,

Keep up the good posts about faith and finance. They are more related than many people will admit and I appreciate you sharing your learned perspective on the matter.

I may have mentioned this before, but my response to the "I'll let it compound for God and donate it later" argument is twofold:

1) As you point out, one purpose of the tithe is to change our hearts. While God has infinite patience I don't believe he expects us in this finite realm to commit ourselves only after we have stored up enough treasure on earth.

2) One can donate to foundations (faith based as well as secular) which build up an endowment. In this way your gift is perpetual and grows over time. The result is the same, but you make the commitment NOW to give.

Good thoughts -- especially #2 which is something I hadn't thought of.

Another perspective is one that my wife mentioned to me the other day. We were discussing this issue and she stated that while it's true that what we give now stops earning earthly gains, it does generate eternal "interest" and "dividends" which are far more valuable.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21, NIV