“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT
The ultra-cautious among our society struggle with the idea of giving money away. Or there are the miserly and mean people, hoarders who feel the same. It is easy for them to get into the mindset of putting the blame for a person’s or a family’s poverty onto them for not having done something that they should have done. In Charles Dickens’ famous book, “Scrooge”, he was once approached by charity collectors, asking for a donation for the poor and destitute, to which he asked several questions: “Are there no prisons?” “And the Union workhouses? “The treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” His final callous refusal to donate any money was accompanied by, “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”. Thankfully, today, people like Scrooge do not represent the majority of the British public, with nearly £14 billion given to charitable causes in the last year of records, 2023. There’s more, because “stuff” donated to charity shops raises a net profit for the charities they represent of a further £300-£400 million or more. Not everyone, of course, is in a position to give to charities, but those who do give generously, it seems.
Begging has become something of a blight in Britain’s High Streets, and the difficulty for those willing to give them something is discerning who is in genuine need and who isn’t. The same discernment is required when giving to charitable organisations, as some are more efficient, with lower overheads, than others, but reputable charities publish the proportion of donations that end up funding the good cause.
So, after having written all that, we turn to Paul’s helpful advice regarding financial giving. The first thing that strikes us is that God is in the giving. So when faced with a need, the first thing a believer must do is to pray about whether it is a need they need to support, and, if so, how much should be given. Some years ago, I can remember attending a series of Christian camps, where there was no charge made, but the administration was to be supported by a donation from those attending. Year after year the financial needs of running the camp were met, as God spoke clearly to the people who attended, people who were obedient in giving what God had told them to give. In Galatians 5:25, Paul wrote, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives”.
In God’s economy, there is an association between the amount given and God’s provision for the giver. 2 Corinthians 9:10, “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you”. Believers who are generous in their giving find that they still have sufficient resources to continue their lives. Paul also wrote, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully”” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God’s provision will not necessarily involve a manna situation where God’s benevolence is graciously resourced from heaven itself. He will use believers to bless others in dire need, and be a blessing to the givers in the process. This was the case with the Macedonian and Corinthian believers collecting an offering for the poor in Judea.
“God is the one who provides seed
for the farmer and then bread to eat“
There has been much abuse by unscrupulous individuals and organisations who promote what has come to be known as the “Prosperity Gospel”. This is a belief among some Christians that financial blessing and physical well-being are always God’s will for faithful believers. It emphasises that positive confession, faith, and donations (seed-faith) lead to material wealth and health as divine favour, often focusing on “living your best life now”. However, the prosperity gospel is widely criticised by mainstream Christians and other denominations as a “false gospel” because it contradicts the Bible’s teachings and focuses on material possessions rather than spiritual growth. It also ends up exploiting people who are poor. In that respect, I remember one elderly lady in my church who had only a small pension to live on, yet was caught up in giving money she didn’t have to an American evangelical organisation that promised her much in return.
Occasionally, an appeal is made from the pulpit of our churches for a special need, such as for a missionary or an overseas project. There may also be needs closer to home, and I remember, at a Christian conference a couple of years ago, how a member of the worship team confessed to being in a dire financial situation, which prompted an outpouring of generosity, with the stage being covered in banknotes after the meeting. We pilgrims must always be ready to provide financially for those in God’s family who are in need. And we give cheerfully, knowing that God is in the giving.
Is there anyone today who we know is in need? Then pray to God for guidance and provide for the need as He directs.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your provision for our needs and pray that we can supply money for the needs of others, in our families and fellowships. Please lead us we pray. Amen
Being a Pilgrim 