Giving and Money Management

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

In a recent post, Crosswalk made the following comment:

Generally, people that give regularly are far better off financially since they make better financial decisions with the remainder of the money.

I have heard that this is true as well -- people who give are generally better money managers.

But I don't think it's because they give that they do better with their money. I'm guessing that people who have control of their finances from all aspects have much more left over than those with no control (makes sense, right?) and thus they have more to give when the opportunity presents itself. In other words, good financial management leads to more giving, not the other way around.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you agree that givers do better with money in general? And why do you think that?

Comments

[JR]

I agree that people who give more are probably being more intentional about all of their finances and therefore able to give more.

[Matt]

Not in all cases.

I know of one pcouple who tithes and are not a good money manager in big debt and lives paycheck to paycheck. He has some impulse buying issues she is a shopaholic.

But I do believe that a person who is a good money manager is able to give because they believe that they have enough and can help out others with there charitable giving.

[Jonathan]

I know someone who gives in an unsustainable way - i.e., selling the family car to give to a cause that breaks his heart. I don't think he's the best money manager. My wife and I carefully balance giving with saving and investing today, because we expect to be able to give much more later on when we get a good investment income stream going. We consider ourselves wise financially, and that is definitely a huge benefit to our level of generosity.

[Travis]

I think it depends! Sometimes I see bleeding hearts giving away way too much of their stuff to the effect it hurts their own family. However, some of the wealthiest people I know are big time givers.

Personally, I do believe that the more money you give, then the more you will receieve. God gives to those that can handle their money. He doesn't want you to be irresponsible!

[Keith]

I think people who give are better off financially. But let us give credit to where credit is due. The Bible says, "Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." Firstly, acknowledge that God owns it all. Secondly, give as He leads. Third, spend as a steward. In the end, It is all His and we are just passing through.

[Luis]

The comment makes me think that the idea is people with tighter budgets (lower income levels) can overcome their shortfalls better if they lead charitable lives. Could this be the true target of the statement?

[Mark]

I think there's kind of a mystical element to this. When I had a low income and started giving 10% to my church, I quickly and easily found another decent paying part time job. It was freaky at the time because I didn't even have to try that hard. I'm not saying it always happens that way. It's not like my income skyrocketed continuously, but I do think there's something to this idea that the giving itself can bring more money to the giver, if done in the right spirit.

I concede there are a lot of factors involved. So it doesn't necessarily negate the idea of some people giving away more than they should or other practical aspects of giving such as the idea that people who give are more likely to pay attention more closely to their financial affairs.

[BD]

In regards to the above comments: I'm not sure that God automatically drops more income into the laps of those devout Christians that give regularly. I know way too many Godly Christians who give til it hurts, and are only beset with more poverty for all their giving. I seriously think that sometimes, in some cases, God defers material things til we get to Heaven. It bugs me to see other Christians say "well, all you need to do is give more, and God will be faithful and provide more money for you." Then, when this doesn't come to pass, it makes poor Christians feel they're not Godly enough, or that they're doing something wrong, when that may not necessarily be the case. Your mileage may vary.

Incidentally, I got into a big discussion about the whole aspect of "giving doesn't necessarily mean you'll have enough for your needs" over in another blog. One person (DW) explained the whole dynamic really well...far better than most Christians do. See the comments at: http://christianpf.com/how-giving-is-a-spiritual-discipline/

[Angela]

God tells us in the Bible that if we give the first 10% of what we have back to Him, He will open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing that we can't contain. Money isn't the only blessing He will provide. Yes, we do need to pray for His wisdom to handle the resources He gives us wisely.

[Jeff]

In general, I'd say that FMF's assertion is true. I've served in various church treasury roles over the years, and in my unscientific analysis I'd say that's it's rare to find a disciplined (financially and otherwise) congregant who doesn't give generously. People who are often late for service and often lose their car keys typically are not consistently generous givers.

[Georgia]

I do not believe that giving to God automatically causes a big jump in your income. I believe you do watch your money better though. I did have one time (1975-76) that I followed Oral Roberts advice to giving an offering as well as the tithe. We never had a lot, but I started saving for a vacation as we had never had one as a family. In that year, I way upped my giving and we took a vacation with $1k for 2 weeks and came home with $300. I said lots of thanks for that.

However, fast forward 11 years, we had become deep in debt - spending on our kids, loss of job and the cost of the search. God did not rain money down on us even though I kept on giving. He had a lesson to teach me in being more financially knowledgeable and frugal. It took 15 years, but I learned the lesson well. Every way God helps us or lets us learn is the right way. Too bad we often feel we are smarter than God and can do it all on our own.

I now have no debt, own my own home (freely given to us by family), have a fairly good income, and savings to use on the upkeep of my home and car. And, my giving has gone up to 20% and my gratitude to God knows no bounds.

[Rich Schmidt]

I think the quote from Crosswalk is exactly correct. To give regularly requires (and displays) a certain amount of thoughtfulness and discipline in financial matters that many people do not have.

Plus, as I just reminded a friend yesterday, tithing/giving isn't the only thing God has to say about money in the Bible. There's also all sorts of wisdom and instruction about working hard, saving diligently, planning for the future, avoiding debt, being content, avoiding greed, etc. It doesn't do us much good to listen to what God says about giving and ignore all the rest.

[Georgia]

Rick - I agaree with all the things you reminded us the Bible says about money, work, saving, giving, etc. This is why I feel it is essential for Christians to read the Bible through as often as possible. I have done this numerous times and I have learned so much of what God expects of us. So often, we know so little of His word that we don't do as much as we could. We will never be perfect, but we can become better each year in some way.

I would recommend a book to help somewhat - Adventuring Through the Bible by Ray Stedman. It is excellent and told me some stuff I had absolutely no knowledge of.

[Rich Schmidt]

Thanks, George.

:)