2. Trust
A second attitude that will characterize our giving when our lives are given to the Lord is trust. In the Old Testament, in addition to the firstfruits, a tithe (that is, 10% of one’s income and possessions) was also required of every person, without exception and without distinction between rich and poor. That this was required of everyone was a reminder that everything they possessed was from the Lord and that each person, whether rich or poor, was equally dependent on the Lord to provide for all their needs. Thus, giving to the Lord was not simply an acknowledgement of God’s reign, but also an expression of trust in Him to provide all they needed.
In Malachi’s time, many people were withholding part or all of their tithes, perhaps because times were difficult economically (Malachi 3:6-12). In response, God told them that they were in fact robbing Him, and He showed them that their problem was not so much financial, but spiritual – that they had turned away from Him. The Israelites stopped tithing because they viewed God with contempt and did not trust that He would provide for them. As a result, they came under His curse and did not enjoy the abundance of His provision. Against this, the Lord called them to return to Him, bringing their full tithe into the Temple. In return, He would bless them with overflowing abundance, preventing pests from devouring their crops and causing their land to be exceedingly fruitful. They needed only to trust and obey.
As it was in Malachi’s day, so it is in ours. It is a matter of some debate whether the tithe still applies under the New Covenant, but it is nevertheless clear that Christians are still called to give to the Lord’s work (e.g. Matthew 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; Philippians 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). If anything, since we have such greater blessings in Christ than people living under the Old Covenant did, it would be reasonable to expect that we should give more – not less – than those living under the Old Covenant did, and that a tithe should therefore be the bare minimum expected of our giving.
In any event, the principle still applies that our giving to the Lord is an acknowledgement that everything we have is from Him and an expression of our trust in Him to provide all we need. One reason I often hear that Christians are unwilling to give to the Lord is that they “can’t afford it”; they fear they will not have enough to care for their own needs. In reality, however, the problem is almost always not so much a financial one as it is a spiritual one, due to lack of trust in the Lord (and often also due to a love of money and the things of the world rather than the Lord – Matthew 6:24; 1 John 2:15). But as Scripture tells us repeatedly, the Lord provides us with all we need as we trust in Him (e.g. Deuteronomy 8:6-18; Psalm 127:1-2; Matthew 6:11, 25-34). Specifically regarding the Lord’s provision for those who give to Him, Paul writes, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously… And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6,8). Paul likewise writes regarding gifts of support he received from the Philippian church, “They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:18b-19)
When we withhold our offerings because we think we won’t have enough for ourselves, we are telling the Lord that He can’t be trusted to provide for us. But when our lives are first given over to obey the Lord, we will give our offerings freely to Him, because we know that He is the One who has given us everything, and that He will be faithful to provide for us all that we need - and more!
Related Links:
Obedience in Giving (Part 2)
Obedience in Giving (Part 1)
