Giving to the church is a vital part of Christianity. Is there a set amount a person should give? Is it possible to give too much? What about my family’s needs? Is giving to the church Biblical? How much should be given?
FULL DISCLOSURE: I would never discourage a person to withhold charity. I am an avid fan of radical generosity. However, I believe that we should always stay true to the Biblical text. This article is not a license to be stingy.
Giving to the church is an important Christian discipline. Christians are encouraged to give generously, lavishly, and regularly. How much one gives is up to the individual person. One cannot give what one does not have. Christians should give in proportion to their income and as they feel comfortable. Giving should be done freely and joyfully.
Unfortunately, many giving sermons are steeped in folklore. Ministers conveniently stretch Bible texts. Scriptures that are to be taken literally are often massaged (Malachi 3). Contextual giving is often ignored as well.
Here’s a quick overview of Christian giving.
Old Testament Giving
Tithing in the Old Testament was food in every instance except for one.
Abraham gave ten percent of war spoils to Melchizidek. The next time you go to war, feel free to give ten percent of the booty away.
The Biblical tithe was closer to 23% than 10% — and it was food, not money.
There were three types of tithes in the Old Testament. A Levitical tithe (10%) was given annually. The Festival tithe (10%) was also given once per year. The poor tithe (10%) was given every third year which equals about 3.33% per year.
If were were “faithful” to the texts we would give 20% each year and another 10% every third year.
Ten percent is not a starting point in our giving.
How Much To Give — Festivals?
Men were fully expected to bring offerings during the festivals. They were commanded to “not come empty-handed” to the festival.
Was there an expected amount to bring as a gift?
Nope. The amount was relative.
Deuteronomy 16:17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.
The expected amount to give was relative to the net worth of the individual. Evidently, there was some latitude on how much to give.
A required amount is legalistic. God is not legalistic.
Who Was To Give — Special Offering?
Exodus 25:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.
God commanded Moses to build a tabernacle. The Israelites were to bring an offering for its construction.
Who was to give? The person whose heart prompted them to give was encouraged to give. Again, there seems to be some latitude on who was to give.
The Temple Tax
There was an expected amount to give for the maintenance of the temple — a half shekel — which has a current value of $5.00.
Exodus 30:14-15 All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives.
Levitical Offerings
There were several types of offerings unique to Temple worship. These offerings were specific to the manner of worship before Christ. These offerings, for the Christian, are not required and in fact impossible.
Summary of Offerings In The Old Testament
God commanded Moses to receive a special offering from those who were prompted in their hearts. Men were commanded to bring an offering during the three major festivals. The amount was dependent upon the blessing on a person’s life. A temple tax was levied against every person at least twenty years old.
How did these offerings transition from the Old to the New Covenants?
Giving to the Church — The New Testament
New Testament churches met in homes and didn’t have mortgages. Paul, the apostle, was bi-vocational.
Giving to the church in the New Testament was usually for charity purposes and not for paying overhead.
The Bible does not mandate a special amount to give to the church in the New Testament.
Jesus encouraged lavish giving (Luke 16:9). He also expected us to care for our families (Mark 7:11-13).
Paul encouraged generous giving (2 Corinthians 9:6). He also expected us to provide for families (I Timothy 5:8).
Paul’s Instruction on Giving Money
We get to decide how much to give. For many of us that is difficult. We really want to know HOW MUCH! There is grace in giving.
God loves cheerful givers
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
When we give reluctantly or under compulsion we’re doing it wrong. Our giving should be free and joyful.
2 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Paul reiterated what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 16:17. The amount one gives is in relation to their income. There is not a New Testament directive demanding a certain percentage to be given.
Paul says give in accordance with your income and do it cheerfully.
Give Until It Hurts?
What about giving sacrificially? Is giving beyond one’s comfort level Biblical?
Paul references the abundant generosity of the Macedonian church (I Corinthians 8). They gave beyond their ability. Paul was hesitant to receive the gift but they pleaded with him to allow them to share in this opportunity.
This type of giving is the exception and not the rule.
Giving To The Church — Modern Times
Church budgets are severely strained. Ministers attempt to balance all of the legitimate and perceived needs of a church family.
Peter, Paul, and the rest of the Apostles met in homes. Paul had a side hustle as a tent maker.
Things are a bit more complex now.
Churches have mortgages. Many houses of worship are specialized with a lead pastor, worship pastor, youth pastor, facilities manager, and more.
Overhead consumes the majority of financial contributions. The pressure is profound on pastors to raise more money and to manage it all with a magic touch.
Talking About Money In Church
Some pastors receive “tithes” and offerings during every worship service. Many pastors are now only making a cursory mention of giving.
The church is totally out of balance.
Saint Paul mentioned offerings in his two letters to the church in Corinth. Both offerings were to relieve pain and suffering for Christians in another part of the world.
Many churches are heavily in debt, have bloated overhead expenses, and contributions are diminishing.
There is a vague understanding of Kingdom financial principles in the Body of Christ. Jesus gives us permission to give lavishly (Luke 16:9).
Debt is choking most families. Giving is not an honest option for them.
Pastors, who are under extreme financial pressure, often use guilt, shame, and coercion, to increase the amounts given. This tactic often backfires.
Believers feel like the church’s finances are mismanaged.
Ministers are convinced that Christians are tight-fisted.
There is a legitimate Catch-22.
Closing The Gap
Pastor Encouragement
Pastors must take a fresh look at the church budget. Cuts might be necessary. Get back to basics. Have tough conversations with staff, deacons, elders, and board members.
What is the purpose of the church? Is community outreach a vital part of the church?
Less than 1% of church budgets typically fund community outreaches.
Salaries often consume more than 50% of the church budget.
Is that excessive?
Begin teaching Kingdom financial concepts. Hosting Financial Peace is inadequate. Immerse your church members in Kingdom financial concepts.
If you could use a hand please reach out to me.
Believer Encouragement
There are not giving minimums or maximums. Giving is a matter of the heart. Most days I wish God would say “GIVE THIS AMOUNT!”
Review your family’s financial position. If Jesus audited your financial picture would you be excited or scared?
Are you earning enough? Is spending balanced in your home? Have you normalized saving? Is debt choking you? Is your financial future secure?
All of these things are important. Earning, spending, saving, and investing often precede giving. These all work together. You cannot give what you have not earned. What you spend you cannot give or invest. Proper balance is needed.
“Above all, do not lie to yourself”
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Pull out last year’s giving statement.
Were you generous?
This is a question between you and God. No guilt, no shame, no coercion.
Simple honesty.