Sacrificial Giving

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

On my recent post titled More Thoughts on Tithing there was quite a discussion on the concept of tithing. Most of it was about whether or not a "poor" person should try and give away 10% of their income. Looking at tithing (and giving) from a different perspective, one reader made the following comment:

What I really would like to discuss is what are people's convictions regarding the practice of sacrificial giving. To focus on the rich for once, how should one feel about tithing 10% when that amount is not a true sacrifice?

Before we get into my thoughts, I thought I'd set the stage for what "sacrificial giving" even is -- and why anyone would feel compelled to give to this level. The best explanation I found was in the following question and answer on the Generous Giving website. Their thoughts:

What is sacrificial giving, and why is it important?

Sacrificial giving is the kind that is done at great personal cost to the giver. It is possible to give without suffering any loss. Indeed, we do this all the time. When a family donates a bag of old clothes to the Salvation Army, or when a multibillionaire gives an impressive-sounding six-figure contribution, they feel no loss because it is in their best interest to discard those things anyway. Strictly speaking, in the words of author Randy Alcorn, this is not giving at all but “selective disposal”. This kind of giving is fine (it is certainly better than throwing old clothes or money away), but there is nothing distinctively Christian about it. Even in the Old Testament, King David recognized this difference when he insisted, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). The one great biblical example of generosity is Jesus’ gift of himself to make atonement for sins, which was done at unimaginable cost to the giver (1 John 3:16). Obviously, our greatest sacrifices are not even in the same league with Jesus’ unique sacrifice. But we Christians are imitators of our Lord, and for that reason we give our very best, that which it pains us to lose.

The same page goes on (in the next question and answer) to address the reader's comment above:

How can wealthy people give sacrificially?

With great difficulty. Sacrificial giving is the kind that is done at great personal cost to the giver. But a wealthy person, by definition, is someone who has so much money that he can weather losses with ease. The very function of wealth is to shield its owner so that it is hard for him to do anything at great personal cost. Indeed, for this very reason Jesus says, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24). It is not that the poor are more righteous in God’s sight than the rich; no, we are all equally hopeless (Romans 3:10). It is just that the rich are more likely to try to get along without God’s help. The upshot is that a wealthy person, in order to reach the point of sacrifice, must give a much larger amount than a poor person would. Christian generosity is certainly more complex than any particular dollar amount or percentage rate. But practically speaking, if a wealthy Christian wants to begin giving sacrificially, he must sit down and calculate a number large enough that it will cut noticeably (even painfully) into his standard of living, and start giving at that level. For those who need help determining that number, missiologist Ralph Winter offers this suggestion: “Deliberately and decisively adopt a missionary support level as [your] standard of living and [your] basis of lifestyle regardless of income.” If this “wartime lifestyle” seems hopelessly out of reach, consider what Jesus says to the rich: “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

I will share some thoughts on this issue and then turn it over to you all in the comments:

1. IMO it's very difficult for the wealthy (which is most people reading this post) to really give sacrificially. To be honest, it's difficult to get the wealthy to give at all in most cases.

2. That said, the suggestion of living on a missionary's salary seems like it would do the trick. I'm guessing that's in the $25k-$35k range, but perhaps some of you have a more solid number.

3. Regarding the "live on a missionary's salary" idea, I have a few thoughts. First, I think we could do it as a family, but it would completely change our lifestyle. It would certainly "hurt." Second, I'm not sure everyone is called to live on a missionary's salary. There are plenty of promises in the Bible that are contrary to living on such a limited amount and there are many wealthy people in the Bible. David, for instance, was extremely wealthy and yet was "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22) because even though he was rich, his heart was still fully devoted to God. Finally, the book Money, Possessions, and Eternity argues quite effectively against the two extremes of biblical financial thought -- that God will always bless everyone until they are fabulously wealthy and that every Christian should give away almost everything they have and live in poverty. For everyone to live on a missionary's salary seems to support the latter thinking.

4. To me the whole issue of "how much to give" depends on a person's heart/attitude. One millionaire can give away his entire fortune and not be "right" with God simply because of his attitude while a multi-millionaire can give away "only" half his fortune and be completely in God's will.

5. The issue of sacrificial giving is one my wife and I have discussed over and over and over again. She wants to give away everything while I want to both give and save (which we are also commanded to do -- see Proverbs 6:6.) It's a very fine balance to be sure and we're far from reaching any level of "perfection."

6. About a year or so ago when my wife and I were discussing the issue of how much is the "right" amount to give, I had the opportunity to ask my pastor about it. I asked him what the guidelines were for giving over and above the tithe (10%). His answer: "Whatever the Lord puts on your heart." I hated that answer because it's so ambiguous. But he said to pray about it and see what we felt the Lord saying regarding giving, then being obedient to that.

7. As for what we do: we are roughly at a 33/33/33 split -- 33% of income to live on, 33% of income saved, and 33% of income given. It varies from year to year but that's a solid estimate of what has happened over the past five years or so.

8. Have we given sacrificially? I would say "no." We have certainly given away a substantial amount and a decent percentage of our income. But it's not really sacrificial IMO. We still have a very comfortable lifestyle and don't really want for anything. That said, if I had the money now that I have given away over the past 20 years, I would easily be retired. So in that way it's been a bit of a sacrifice.

Ok, that's more than I really wanted to cover. Now it's your turn. What's your take on this issue?

Comments

[Keith]

Knowing that the world is passing away makes the idea of giving a little more easier. "The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." We are invited to transfer our temporal wealth to eternal wealth by Jesus in Matthew 6:20 "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." To me that helps but I still struggle with giving generously probably because I have my wants that get in the way.

[mmb]

I think it's interesting that giving can be sacrificial in that it means you have less overall money and therefore have to work harder or longer to retire or reach certain goals. It is like a delayed sacrifice. I've never thought of it in that way.

I don't think or see how we are called to live ultra frugally and to give everything else.

[Kredyt Gotowkowy]

I think that sacrificial giving it is the most noble thing anyne can do. I really recommend you guys try it. It will change you.

My first sacrificial giving was few years ago and I try to do it as often as I can. There is no greater pleasure in life than helping somebody.

[Paul Williams]

FMF, regarding your point #3, I hardly think a missionary's salary is equivalent to living in poverty. My wife and I are living on about the midpoint of your $25-35k estimate quite comfortably. We're able to save, eat well, take vacations, spend without worrying about making ends meet (though we naturally don't spend a lot), and give generously on that amount.

I'm sure it would be a stretch for you all, and perhaps you are not called to that. But I personally would have a hard time seeing a self-imposed spending restriction of $25-35k as living in poverty, and I certainly would not equate that with the view that Christians should give everything away and live extremely ascetic lifestyles.

I appreciate this post much more than the one on tithing and find it far more interesting. You are quite right with point #4 and I think that's where we should all be focusing more - on our own hearts, motives, and devotions rather than other people's.

[FB CD]

The danger you speak of is real. It destroyed any honor held by the word “televangelist”, for example.

But it is just a danger, not a law of physics. Each case must be evaluated individually. For some Christians, the GREATER danger may be using this reasoning as an excuse to avoid giving.

[FMF]

Paul --

I just picked the missionary salary number out of the air. I assume you think the amount they earn would be lower?

[K D]

I think that if everyone lived sacrificially the economy would collapse. We tithe and then some but more importantly we try to spend where it is helpful. We eat out at locally owned restaraunts and sometimes hire others to do jobs we could do. While not charity I think keeping people gainfully employed adds to the world (they don't need charity if they work). Because the economy is so different today than it was 2,000 years ago maybe I thinking needs to extrapolate.

[PeteC]

I love this discussion, FMF. Having finished reading Randy Alcorn's "Money, Possessions, & Eternity" just yesterday afternoon, this topic has been timely and on my mind quite a bit.

In the end, I think that the words of Christ in Matthew 6 offer the greatest incentive to give away MOST of what we have to build things of eternal value - "send the money ahead" if you will. God has blessed you and I (and many others reading this) well beyond what we need in order to live a fulfilling life. If we focus on supplying the needs of our poor brothers and sisters in Christ in America and around the world, God will most certainly take care of us during times of need. (2 Cor. 8:14)

Alcorn frequently quoted John Wesley, who managed to give away all but a few pounds before his death. When I arrive in my eternal resting place, I pray that I too will have invested an overwhelming portion of my time and energy into that heavenly dwelling and into the glory of our King.

[Kelly@FinancialBailoutNews]

Well, if you think about the fact that if the money you have given to charity had been saved for your own personal gain, then you would be retired- IMO that right there is sacrificial. It's kind of the same idea as someone giving up something for lent, that isn't very hard for them to do without for a period of time. Sacrificing is a Catholic virtue to show that we are grateful. A family living on 25k-35k when they could be using more to fulfill the necessities of their lifestyle seems more than sacrificial. I think that giving any amount that seems fair and "enough" to you is enough of a sacrifice. So many who have to means simply don't give because they don't want to, so IMO any little bit that one can contribute is better than nothing.

[Paul Williams]

FMF, no, I don't think it would be lower necessarily. It's probably a good number for a U.S. lifestyle. From what I understand, a missionary's salary will depend in large part on where they are living, with some given an amount for savings when the return home (if they will).

If you want to check your estimate, I'd recommend talking with Craig at Money Help for Christians (http://www.moneyhelpforchristians.com/). He was a missionary kid, became a missionary, and just got back to the U.S. recently, so I'm sure he'd be able to give you some ideas.

My point was mainly that "living in poverty" would require a lower income than $25-35k/year. I'm living on that amount and feel like we're nowhere near poverty.

[Paul Williams]

By the way, have you considered adding a plugin/option to subscribe to comments by email? I see that I can subscribe to the comment feed via a feed reader, but for some reason I actually prefer email subscriptions for comments.

[FMF]

Paul --

I'm not sure Typepad (the service I use) offers that option. I'll need to check into it.

[Catherine]

To echo Paul's experience, I know a few people who live on $20k or less who don't feel poor. It's hard to believe they are related to some six figure earners who have trouble making ends meet.

One of those getting by on around 18K per year gives $5K each year to charity. She's my inspiration.

[1stMillionAt33]

FMF,

Personally, I think you are a bit too hard on yourself. It's difficult to judge anyone just based on their current or future giving percentage. A young person may be able to give out 100% of his assets, knowing fully well that he can earn it back quickly the next month or the next year. An old poor head-of-household may be extremely difficult to give out 3% of his income, when he can barely support his family. You know, who are we to judge each other, whether we ought to give out more or not??

Yes, for a wealthy person, it's hard to do any sacrificial giving. But when we give, I think it's much more important to contemplate about the meaning behind the actual giving than the giving itself. Do we really own anything of this world, or God is the owner? Etc.

The spiritual growth is both inside and outside. On the outside, we give. On the inside, we grow detached from material things and grow towards God. Both need to be complementary. The act of giving is disproportional to how much one is attached to the material side. And through the actual giving, we make ourselves to learn that we are all brothers and sisters under the same God family.

I just found the most beautiful (real) story ever that I've read. I thought you should check it out. Yes, we're all not there, but it's a goal to strive for. I made some small donation, because I want the name of Peace Pilgrim to be heard by more people:

http://www.peacepilgrim.org/

There is a 16 minutes video below (need to scroll down quite a bit) if you don't have 3 hours to finish reading 143 pages online book.

http://www.spiritual-happiness.com/video.html#peacepilgrim

Her life story is so beautiful that I barely can do anything else besides learning more about this old woman.