“How much should I be giving to God?” Usually, when people ask this question, they sadly want to hear a number. Perhaps it will enable them to tick the box on their obligation to give and carry on with their life. However, giving to God is not like paying taxes. With God, giving is not a transactional action; it is a relational action that is rooted in his covenant.
A person’s giving is a reflection of their heart’s posture in their relationship with God. Our bank statements expose our hearts; for how a person spends his money reveals the desires of their heart. A foodie spends money on food, a film buff spends money on movies, and lovers lavish each other with gifts.
So how much we give to God is a good reflection of our attitude towards him. This is why God loves a cheerful giver, for it reveals a heart that is generously in love with God (2 Cor. 9:6-7).
Now to return to the question at hand, how much does God want us to give? The answer is everything.
Everything Belongs to God
Christians are not to withhold anything from God for everything they have belongs to God. He has graciously given everything to them as a trust.
Christians are mere stewards. Therefore, should God ask one to give everything—even one’s life—then a faithful follower of Christ must be willing to part with it, joyfully and not seek to withhold it. This is the heart attitude of a true child of God.
Tithe in the Old Testament
What about the tithe? Does not God mandate only 10 per cent giving? This is a common mistaken belief that God only required 10 per cent of a person’s income in the Old Testament.
It is what is referred to as the Lord’s Tithes (Lev. 27:30-33). It was offered to the Levites for their sustenance (Num. 18:21-24). This tithe was instituted to provide for the Levites who served God and his people.
How much does God want us to give? The answer is everything.
Apart from this fundamental Lord’s Tithe, there also existed other tithes such as the Festival Tithe (which is often referred to by theologians as the Second Tithe). God’s people used it for the upkeep of various festivals and paid for it at Jerusalem (Deut. 12:10-11, 17-18).
Beyond this, there was a Third Tithe. This was the poor tithe that God’s people paid every three years to provide for the sojourners, orphans, and widows in the land (Deut. 14:28-29).
Over and above this, the Law of God required his people to offer the first fruits of one’s produce and livestock to God (Num. 18:11-13). The American theologian, R. Kent Hughes calculates these Tithes writing, “the bottom line was this: God’s people were required to give a minimum of 25 per cent a year.”
Apart from this mandatory giving, God invited his people to offer free-will offerings (Lev. 22:17-25; 23:38). He also sought voluntary offerings when the need arose for special projects such as the building of the tabernacle, the building of the temple, and the rebuilding of the temple (Ex. 35:4-9, 20-29; 1 Chron. 29:6-9; Ezra 2:68; 7:16).
One might consider these figures and think that God’s demands are too great. This is precisely the point! Since God had committed himself wholly to his people by covenanting with them, he expected his people to do nothing less.
Giving in the New Testament
We see the same principle of giving carried over to the New Covenant. While the Christian is no more under the Mosaic Law or bound to pay its various stipulations, the Lord’s Tithe still exists. Even prior to Sinai, from the earliest times the covenant people of God always believed they were bound to give to God (Gen. 4:3-4).
The most famous incident of such giving is when Abraham tithed to Melchizedek and Jacob promised to give God a full tenth of all that he possesses (Gen. 14:20, 28:22). Thus, even today God requires Christians to give a Tithe to God by bringing it to his church.
Giving to the Church
In the New Covenant, the principle of the three Tithes of the Old Covenant continues. The apostle Paul makes it abundantly clear that ministers of the gospel should get their living by the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14; Gal. 6:6). In fact, Paul quotes an obscure Mosaic Law to establish this principle that the church ought to provide for her ministers who labour on her behalf (1 Cor. 9:7-11; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).
The church has fewer festivals and feasts than ancient Israel. Nevertheless, it observes the Lord’s Table and communal feasting (Acts 2:45-46; 1 Cor. 11:20). Likewise, God calls the church to care for the poor in her midst (Gal. 6:10; 1 Tim. 6:18; 1 John 3:17-18). He established the diaconal ministry to provide care for the widows and orphans in the church (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:9-10, 16; James 1:27).
God has emptied heaven’s treasury and lavished grace upon grace in giving us Jesus Christ
Apart from these obligations, the early church generously provided during times of crisis. The church at Antioch generously sent relief to the church in Jerusalem that was suffering from famine (Acts 11:29). Paul instructed the churches in Galatia and Corinth to contribute to this famine relief fund (Rom. 15:25-26; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Paul commended the Macedonian church for providing out of their poverty towards this fund (2 Cor. 8:1-5).
The New Testament church also raised funds for the work of mission, such as the Antioch church. It supported the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas; and later Paul and Silas. Paul wrote to the church in Rome hoping they would support him in his missionary endeavours to Spain (Rom. 15:24).
Thus, we see that God’s people generously took part in the advance of the gospel and the planting of new churches. This is a task which the church continues even today, and it is incumbent upon God’s people to provide for these things.
Generous Giving, Generous Receiving
God has not withheld anything from his children. God has emptied heaven’s treasury and lavished grace upon grace in giving us Jesus Christ, who died for our sake. Thus, Christians who have experienced the fullness of God’s generous grace are now called to be generous givers.
God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps. 50:10). He possesses the stars of heaven and gives them names (Ps. 147:4). He has no need for our meagre giving. Yet, God gives us the blessed privilege to partner with him and provide for his church and the work of his ministry. It is a blessing that God providentially uses our temporal resources to make an impact for all eternity.
“How much does God want you to give?” Begin with the tithe and then give generously, give sacrificially, and above all give cheerfully.
