How to Give
When you give beyond the tithe, you are to give out of your abundance, according to the principle taught in 2 Corinthians 8:14. God doesn't want us to give to the point where we put our finances and families at risk, but He does want us to give in faith. A balanced attitude toward material "things" can be found in Proverbs 30:8-9. God's main concern for us is what's in our heart. Other guidelines for this type of giving include the following:
- Donating something other than money - You may donate your time or services to an organization or noncash gifts such as food, furniture and clothing. Avoid giving useless or junk gifts. King David said that he would not offer to the Lord something that cost him nothing.
- You may also give something with an appreciated value (an asset you bought at a low price that's now worth much more). This includes such things as stocks, bonds, jewelry, real estate, or anything that grows in value.
- Taking a balanced approach to sacrificial giving - Sacrificing to give is a way to honor God, but, once again, this should be the result of a heart attitude and not a desire to impress others.
All of us have been called to suffer for Christ according to Philippians 1:29. In this generation, that may not include great physical sacrifice, but it does require an understanding that the purpose of our abundance is to further the Kingdom of God. It's clear that neither a voluntary rejection of all wealth, nor an ostentatious display of material success, is part of a balanced Christian walk. In America, however, very few have a problem with sacrificing too much.