Giving With The Right Attitude
Like every other facet of serving God, all giving (including the tithe) should be done with the right attitude. When giving is viewed as a rule and done merely out of duty, it becomes legalism. But it is not legalistic to give if we do so in thanksgiving to the Lord. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, we have plenty to be thankful for, including our ability to work.
Giving in the hope that you'll receive two or three times as much is also a wrong attitude. Romans 11:35 NIV warns, “Who has ever given to God,that God should repay him?”
If we give only to receive, then we are no better than Simon the sorcerer, described in Acts 8, who offered money to the apostles in hopes of receiving spiritual power. His offer brought a stern rebuke from Peter, who answered, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!"
Another wrong attitude is giving out of fear. Reverence and respect toward God, when tempered with confidence in His love, are signs of spiritual maturity. This is not the kind of fear we refer to. What we warn against is giving because you've been told by someone that if you don't give, God will punish you. If you give because you feel intimidated, then you are giving under compulsion, which is contrary to what is taught in 2 Corinthians 9:7. Never support a ministry that uses threats as a fund-raising gimmick.
Finally, we should never give to impress others. In Matthew 6:2-4, Jesus gave us the following warning: "When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you."
People who have a problem with pride need to do their giving in a modest and humble way. This doesn't mean that all giving must be done entirely in secret. It simply means that we are not to draw attention to ourselves when we give. It would be very difficult for Christian ministries to prepare yearly budgets or deal with capital improvements and building campaigns if they didn't have an idea of how much to expect from their supporters; therefore, letting a ministry know that you will contribute a certain amount is helpful.
Allowing your children to witness your giving, particularly when sacrifice is involved, will teach them the importance of commitment. Giving for applause or approval from others, however, is unscriptural.