For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.
The following is an excerpt from The Secret of Generosity
Get involved: The Bible calls us to do more than write checks. For lack of a better cliché, we must get our hands dirty in the work of the gospel. Often, we are far too passive regarding our financial contributions. We put money in the plate and move on, rarely being a part of the redemptive work of our gifts. The Bible calls us higher. Getting involved in the areas we are financially investing assures our hearts and fuels our desire to become increasingly devoted to God’s work in the world.
In my observation, I have noticed that mature Christians tend to give in less places but give more generously, intentionally, and consistently. They become increasingly involved in the places and purposes to which God has called them. Immature givers tend to write random checks whenever something strikes an emotional chord (and rarely accompany their gifts with personal involvement). This isn't necessarily bad, but it lacks purpose, calling, and intentionality.
Find your calling: Beyond the basic tenets of Christian giving, I believe God intentionally puts specific people, places, and causes into the hearts of His children. He puts desires within us—burdens us with a calling to minister in a specific way—and then moves us to invest deeply in that place. Where is your heart? Orphans? Asia? Single moms? Unreached people groups? Students? The inner city? The homeless? Children? Widows? The abused? Third world countries?
We are all different, and God authored those differences to point us in the direction of His unique calling for our lives. I once had a college student I was mentoring confess: “I would rather sneak Bibles into a closed country than volunteer in the children's wing!” He was serious! We are all different, very different, and this is intentional. Start diving into the desires that the Lord has purposefully placed upon your heart to do His work. He has given your soul a passion to minister in a unique way. If you haven’t found it yet, start searching.
The radical and redemptive generosity to which the Bible calls us will only emerge when we are giving from passionate desires deep within our souls. Find those passions. The more in tune we are to the specific callings that God has placed upon our hearts, the more eager we become to give generously.
Create a plan: Our giving should be systematic and strategic. Spontaneous giving has a place but not as our overall approach to generosity. We are selfish sinners and relying on our impulses will seldom lead to radical giving; consequently, our financial life is best governed by specific and intentional planning. At the same time, we need to be careful that we do not let a formula dominate our sense of generosity.
Like any other aspect of our walk with Christ, we have to avoid the temptation to turn the symphony of God into sheet music. While we most certainly are instructed to give careful consideration to our ways, a part of us remains that must be content to dance within the deep mysteries of God (Rom. 11:33-36). If we focus too little on the details, we get off beat and out of key; however, if we focus too much on the details, we stop hearing the music. I pray we would all strive for a systematic intentionality that does not suffocate real relationship.
Create an account: I believe that creating a separate account specifically for giving is one of the most powerful things Jordan and I have done on our own journey of generosity. We separate what belongs to the Lord as soon as we receive it. Then, the resources are already there—ready and waiting for the Lord's leading. Before doing this, giving generously required getting out the budget, moving things around, and recalculating (which often resulted in a loss of interest or inspiration before any money was actually given). Separating money for the Lord's purposes is simple, liberating, and enables a stingy person like myself to give joyfully.
Be creative: I challenge all of us to start thinking outside of the box when it comes to our giving. There are countless ways and places that we can invest in eternity. Opening our minds to the leading of the Spirit will create exciting new opportunities for the kingdom of heaven.
Give something other than money: Following along the lines of our previous point, I offer a peculiar challenge: Consider taking your first step of generous giving outside of the financial realm. I know this sounds like strange advice that seems to completely dismiss the last several chapters but consider the following. There is something too easy (and tempting) about walking away from the call to live out the gospel in loving, worshipful, servant-hearted, sacrificial, and selfless generosity thinking: “All right, I will increase my giving five percent.” Let's be honest, ratcheting up our giving a notch or two is usually one of the easiest ways to increase our generosity. Instead, we ought to challenge ourselves to find ways to be generous that will change our heart not just our budget.
Grow: We discussed this in an earlier chapter, but I believe it is worth mentioning again. Our giving is a dynamic of our spiritual life that requires constant prayer, reflection, and communication with God. We can't allow such a vibrant and life-giving area of our journey with Christ to fall into a rut.
Final thought: Honor students
Honor students give God all the honor, glory, and praise. In all of these things, remember that God's grace and God's glory are the power and purpose behind any attempt at living generously. As soon as we depart from this, we rely on our own abilities and resources to be generous. The world will only be shaken when we allow Christ to be generous through us.
Great points. I find it too easy to give without a corresponding investment of time. I suspect for some who are differently wired, the time comes easily but the money is harder. In either case, God works to change us to more freely give of both.
I heartily second the idea of a separate account for 'giving' funds. We made that change and it does make a big difference in freedom to give with the money not only specially earmarked but set aside for that purpose.
Posted by: JR | January 22, 2012 at 09:00 AM
@desystooX
I hope you find what you need in your life to make you complete.
As for giving it is from your heart. We all have different capabilities of giving. What my wife can offer is so different as to what I can offer. But that is why we are such good complements for each other and a good team.
Follow your heart, mind and spirit to be fulfilled.
Posted by: Matt | January 22, 2012 at 09:32 PM
Great Post. I definitely agree that God calls us to not only give of our finances, but also other areas of our life including time and whatever skills we may have.
Also, I've never considered about having a separate account for giving back to God but I agree that is a good way to make it automatic and make sure we give to God first and not just the leftovers. I think I'll definitely have to start that up.
Check out my new blog at www.financesforfun.com
Posted by: ScottG | January 22, 2012 at 10:39 PM