The Relationship Between Giving and Receiving

Most of my readers don't like hearing about the connection between finances and God (or "religion".) That's one of the reasons I don't write about the topic more. That said, I think the issue is a PERFECT fit for a Sunday post, and that's why I talk about the Bible and money each week at this time. Today I want to talk about the relationship between giving and receiving that I've noticed in my own life.

Did anyone notice what happened to my net worth over the past couple of months? First, it was flat in March because I gave a big gift to a local charity. Then, in April, it rebounded and was up significantly. Anyone see the connection? Give, then finances go up. Coincidence? I don't think so.

I would think it was purely chance (after all, the market was up big in April too) if this was the only time it had happened to me. But this is not the exception -- it's the rule. The years where I've given the most have been the years that my net income has gone up the most. This has consistently happened for more than a decade.

So what's going on? I believe that it's a biblical principle in action. Which one? The one that says if you give then you will receive. A few verses that apply to this:

• Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 NIV

• Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  2 Corinthians 9:6-11

• But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV

Now, if I can only have more faith to give even more. ;-)

But I think there's also one other key ingredient: attitude. I'm giving to help others -- feed them, clothe them, minister to them, and so on. I'm not giving so I get more back. And if I do get more back, I give more. This seems to be an attitude consistent with the giving/receiving relationship the Bible discusses. But those who give so they can get (and keep) more will be sorely disappointed.

Comments

[R Hudson]

Thanks for these Sunday posts. There are those of us who really enjoy your wisdom and insights on the Bible and giving..May God continue to bless you!!

[j&w]

I'm with you in that "what goes around comes around". What I don't agree is that it's necessarily religion- (whether Bible, Koran, or otherwise) based. Plenty of us heathens give money to those who need it too, and without the habit having been ingrained early. Different horses for different courses, however, of course, I'm glad it gives you satisfaction.

[joy]

great post. Thanks for speaking out your faith. I too need more faith to give more and experience what He says He will do in return, not so that He will, but because what we've given is what will last when we are gone, and not what we've taken from this earth.

[rjfarrin]

This is a really great point but God helps those who really try their best and you have to find out about things to put your best foot forward.

[Phil]

FMF: I'm in complete agreement with you. One of my favorite passages is at the end of the Old Testament: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing." Malachi 3:10 (NRSV) More than a promise - God triple-dog dares you to give and see the result of your giving.

[FMF]

Thanks, R Hudson. I appreciate your thoughts.

[Rocketc]

This is a great post. I would only caution that not all blessings that we receive in return are financial or material. Many of the verses you cite are promises to the Hebrews who were living under the law. For the New Testament or "age of grace" believer, all that we own belongs to God.
Real faith is exercised when we give out of need like the story of the "widow's mite" - without any hope of something in return. God has only promised the meet the needs of faithful believers. And if all of us were honest, we could survive on a whole lot less than we do. The Apostle Paul said we are to be content in whatever state we find our selves.

[FMF]

"Not all blessings that we receive in return are financial or material."

Great point. Consider the following choice -- which would you rather have:

1. $250,000
2. Excellent health

Sometimes non-monetary blessings are worth FAR more than money.

[Elena]

"Did anyone notice what happened to my net worth over the past couple of months? First, it was flat in March because I gave a big gift to a local charity. Then, in April, it rebounded and was up significantly. "
So, if in June is goes down because of some stock market problems, for example, and drops before the April number, what would it mean then? :))))

I don't see much of connection between the two, but if you do, that's all that matter. I give alot too, but not to charity, but to animal shelters. I don't care if I ever get a cent back out of it, as long as I can save some dogs from being put to skeep, that's the only reward I am looking for.

[FMF]

Elena --

That's a good point -- and I was probably a bit remiss in suggesting a "give now, get now" philosophy. While I do believe that giving has been a key factor in my financial success through the years, any month-to-month variation may or may not be associated with recent giving.

In this case, it's hard to tell (as it always is), but it seems unusual that I made a big sacrifice one month and the next get a large increase. If that happens once or twice, it's merely chance. But that seems to happen quite often to me.

"And in the end/the love you take/is equal to the love/you make"

- The Beatles