Why Should I Give To The Church? | Ask A Pastor Ep. 14

Why does God ask His people to give? Is tithing still for Christians today? And if God owns everything already, why does our generosity matter?

In this episode of Ask A Pastor, we tackle one of the most important and often misunderstood questions in the Christian life: Why should I give to the church? Looking at what Scripture actually teaches, we discover that giving isn't about funding an organization or earning God's favor. It's an act of worship that reveals where our trust truly lies.

Together, we'll explore why everything we have belongs to God, how generosity transforms our hearts, why the local church depends on faithful financial partnership, and what the Bible really says about tithing under the New Covenant. We'll also discuss why God's blessings are never something we can manipulate, but are the overflow of a life surrendered to Him.

Whether you've been faithfully giving for years, you're skeptical because of past experiences, or you're simply trying to understand what the Bible teaches, this conversation will encourage you to see generosity through the lens of the gospel.

Because in the end, the greatest motivation for giving isn't obligation, it's that God gave first.

Key Scriptures: Psalm 24:1, Proverbs 3:9–10, 2 Corinthians 8–9, 1 Corinthians 9:13–14, Matthew 6:21, Luke 6:38, Malachi 3:10, and more.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hello, everybody. Welcome back to Ask a Pastor. Uh, so good to have you back with us today. Uh, we're gonna dive into a difficult subject today, uh, although it seems like we do that just about every week. But the heart of this podcast is to just uh just be open and honest. I think a lot of people say that the church is not answering tough questions today. Uh, and so my my vision for this podcast is that you see that a pastor and a church is answering the difficult questions, and whatever questions you have, send them my way. Uh, and I would love to answer those questions. And so the the if you enjoy the show, if you would share it with your friends, uh, and and you would give us a like, give us a share, uh, give us a subscribe wherever you're listening, uh, if you're doing podcasts, if you're watching, however that applies, uh, if you could do that, it would help. And so today, what I what I hope to chat to to to talk about is is one of those uh polarizing topics, which is why should I give to the church? Why should you give to the church? Now, a lot of people are very passionate about this. Uh, and this when I preach on this topic, this is one of the most uh this is the topic that I get the most uh hate on. But a statistic I heard the other day that really kind of floored me. Uh, I heard it from a TikTok influencer that talks about church growth. So I don't remember who it is, so I'm trying to cite my research where I can. Um, but he said that the average churchgoer ties to its church about $17 a week, uh, which is kind of shocking. Uh when you when you look at that, that's that's what uh $34, $68 a month. Let me just tell you, uh, your church cannot survive uh on that if if that's what you're you're you're tithing. But the average churchgoer gives the church $17 a week, but they put $21 into their coffee cup every week. So what does that say to us? That says that our coffee is more important to us than God or the church. Uh, and so why should we give to the church? Like I said, this is one of the most important and often one of the most misunderstood questions Christian asks. Many people have seen money abused in ministry, and that creates skepticism. And so I get it. You know, it's it's tough to give to church when you see uh all these preachers that are that are in the the private jets or or drive the luxury vehicles. And and I just want to tell you, your average pastor is not doing this. I drive a 2021 Toyota Tacoma four-cylinder. Uh, so if you think that is a I actually have to go and put the key in and turn it. Uh, so if you think that is a luxury vehicle, uh, then we can talk about it. I think it's actually a modest house. And I live, I live in a two-story house, but it's a four-bedroom house, and I have four children. So one of sets of my children do actually have to share a bedroom. And I probably wouldn't have that big a house. Uh, we actually moved to a bigger house because we kept having kids. Uh, and so, you know, a lot of people say, well, well, pastors, you know, blow money or or get paid a ton. Let me tell you, I get paid a pretty modest salary, uh, considering I'm a I'm a master's prepared uh person. And so I am below uh the national average on what a master's prepared uh person gets in the marketplace. I can tell you that for sure. But we cannot allow someone's misuse of scripture to keep us from understanding what scripture actually teaches us. So my hope today is to tell you what the Bible says. Uh, because it doesn't matter what culture says, it doesn't matter what everybody else says, it matters what God says. The Bible does not present giving as a fundraising strategy. Uh, listen, God is not talking the your giving is not the fundraising strategy of the church. Giving is a fundamental act of worship. That's what you have to understand. Your giving, your money, giving to the church is an act of worship to God. And if you will face it that way, your finances will change, your spiritual life will change, and everything will change for you. And as long as you're holding on to that money, God is not getting all of you. So I'm gonna bring you a few points today. Let me see how many points I have. Uh, I have five points that I'm gonna bring to you, and then uh as always, I'll give you some practical things uh to apply it to your life. Point number one, we give because everything we have belongs to God. That's what you have to understand. Everything, well, Pastor, I make my money, I do this, and I do that. Everything you have comes from God. What does the Bible say about that? Psalm 24:1 says, The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell there within. Proverbs 3, 9 through 10 says, Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce, then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine. How many of us want our vats to be bursting with wine? The alcoholics go, Yeah, praise the Lord. I'm just kidding. Uh so here's the truth we are not owners, we are stewards. One day when you die, everything that you have will go to somebody else, it will no longer be yours. Uh, so you are just stewards of the resources that God allows us to have while you're here on this earth. Everything possessed ultimately belongs to him. Giving reminds us that God is our provider, not our paycheck. Giving reminds us that everything comes from God. We're not giving God something that belongs to us, we are returning a portion of what already belongs to him. So ask yourself this What does my spending reveal that I trust the most? What does how does my spending, what does that reveal about my spiritual walk with God? I encourage people, pull up your bank account and you will see what is most important to you. Number two, we give because giving, like I said in the opening, giving is an act of worship. If you don't believe me, 2 Corinthians 9, 6 through 7 says, the point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. Whoever sows bountifully will also reap boundfully. Each one must give as he decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves the cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficient in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. Second Corinthians 8, 1 through 5 says, We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God uh that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. For in severe tests and affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth and generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as can testify, and beyond their means of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints, and this that as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us. First Corinthians 6 2 says, On the first day of the week, each of you uh is to put something aside to store it up as he may prosper so that there will be collect so there will be no collecting when I come. So here's the truth worship is more than singing, worship is surrender to God. And giving is one of the clearest ways that we declare our trust in God. Because money brings us security, but when we give it to God, we are saying we are putting our total trust in you. God is not after reluctant obedience, he desires cheerful giver. Here's the thing: not only does God want you to give, he wants you to be cheerful about it. God doesn't want your money, he wants your heart. Okay, that's the key. God doesn't want your money, he wants your heart. And the problem is most of us, our heart is driven by the want of more money, more things, more stuff. And God, God is just after your heart. And so the Macedonian churches gave generously because they had first given themselves to the Lord. They gave generously because they had first given themselves to the Lord. Point number three, we give because ministry requires resources. Ministry, the work of God, requires resources to do the work. First Corinthians nine, thirteen through fourteen says, Do you not know uh who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple? And those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. First Timothy five, seventeen through eighteen says, Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox who in it treads out the grain, and the laborer deserves his wages. Galatians 6 6 says, Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches, do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whoever one sows that he will also reap. These are great verses for everyone that says preacher should do the work for free. The Bible does not say that. It says the worker should not be the ox should not be muzzled. The one that preaches the good news should be compensated for that. So here's the truth: God designed his church to be supported by his people. God designed his church to be supported by his people, plain and simple. Ministry has always required financial partnership. There is not a ministry that you have benefited from that does not require financial support. And so, what makes giving, what is what does your church do that is made possible by your giving? Pastoral ministry. So if you've needed a pastor uh to do a funeral, to do your wedding, uh, listen, weddings and funerals, we don't do those uh to get rich. Uh, you know, a lot of people are very generous to us when we do those things, and I'm always very appreciative. But I could not make a full-time job on overdoing weddings and funerals and things such as that. But pastoral ministry is made possible by giving. Missions is made possible by giving. Children's ministry, you know, when you come to church and you check in your kids, uh, that is made possible through giving, student ministry, outreach, benevolence. Did you know that there are a lot of church members that come short on their bills that we help with? We have a food pantry out here that is feeding people, some of whom that we've never met. The worship ministry. Let me tell you, one of the most expensive ministries in your church is the worship ministry because all music equipment is very expensive. You see my guitar behind me, it is very expensive. But we love to listen to good music, but we don't always want to pay for it. Um, and community impact. Everybody's like, Oh, I wish the churches would do more. I wish they would do that, then give more. If you want them to do more, give more. Most churches would love to do more, they just don't have the resources to do it. And so if you want your church to do more, give more. Plain and simple. If you want your pastor to do more, give more. Most of the time, we say no, not because we don't want to do it, we say no because we can't afford to do it. And so when you give to the local church, you're not paying the bills, you're participating in ministry. When you're giving to your local church, you are participating in the ministry. And I truly believe that when you give to a local church and the church sees the fruit of its labor, you get the blessing back for that because you are partnering with your church. Number four, we give because generosity changes us. We give because generosity changes us. Matthew 6, 21 says, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 16, 13 says, No servant can serve two masters, for he will either hate the one and love the other, or we he be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Here's the truth: God doesn't need our money. He doesn't need it, he can do it without us. But God uses generosity to shape our hearts into what God has called us to be. So giving helps break some things in our life, it helps breaks greed, it helps defeat selfishness in our lives, it helps us build trust on God, it helps us develop gratitude. Uh, it's also a form of Christ-like character. We serve a generous God that gives to us generously, and he expects us as believers to be generous to those who are around us. And so the key is that generosity giving is spiritual formation, it is God's way of forming you into the spiritual being that he has called you to be. So ask yourself: what role does money play in my identity and security? What role does your money play in your identity and security? And I would say if all of your identity and security is wrapped up in your paycheck, that's not where God wants you to be. That's why he wants you to be giving to the church. So, number five, we give because God blesses generosity. We give because God blesses generosity. Now, listen, this isn't the reason to give, but this is a product of giving. So Malachi 3.10 says, Bring the full tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house, and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing until there is no need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil and your vine, and the fields shall not fall fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Luke 6 38 says, Give and it will be given to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap for the measure you use will be the measure back to you. Second Corinthians 9 16 says, The point is this whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. God will reap back to us what we sow into his kingdom. So let me give some clarification. Giving is not a get rich quick scheme. I'm not saying give, so God will give to you. We do not give to God to manipulate to God, we do not tithe because God owes us something. Here's the truth Scripture constantly teaches that God honors generosity, God honors our generosity. God's blessings may include um financial provision, spiritual growth, peace. I mean, how there's no amount of peace that's worth any price. Joy, opportunities. You know, sometimes we give, God opens up opportunities. I've had so many times in my church where people uh start giving and they get a promotion like this. It's amazing. Now, we're not giving because of that, but God blesses us when we do. And we give because we see kingdom impact. How awesome is it that we get to be a part of giving. You know, in July, our church does Christmas in July. We give to uh a missions project in Guatemala where we are uh we're not only giving Christmas gifts uh to Guatemalan kids uh with child hope, we are also uh we get the opportunity to share the gospel with them when we go down there. And so, you know, I encourage my church to give to this nation in the last three years. We have covered the entire project uh of Christmas down there in Guatemala. Why? Because God calls us to give of ourselves. You know, some of us will never meet any of those kids down in Guatemala, but they will be in heaven because we gave. And I truly believe that is a blessing. God has never been uh indebted to a generous person. God will never be indebted to a generous person. And so, what about tithing? Uh, everybody always asks, well, Pastor, is is is tithing biblical? Here's the truth Christians differ on whether tithe is a command or a principle under the new covenant. In fact, I tell people, listen, the church lands on the 10% because really the new percent, the New Testament tells us to give everything to the church. Uh, it's more, it's so, you know, we don't necessarily like that. But my position is the tithe is an excellent biblical starting point for generosity. I would just say the tithe is a starting point that once you get there, you are at the floor of what God wants you to do. Uh, it's never intended to be the finish line. God never intends 10% to be your finish line. What he intends is 10% to be your standard. And then as you are able to give over and above that, that's what God calls us to do. But what I want you to do, and the key question is this instead of asking, what is the minimum I have to give, we should ask, how can I honor God with everything that is in you and He's entrusted me? You know, some of the most generous people I've seen in my life are always generous to God, and God sometimes just continues to just bless them and bless them and bless them. So, what's some practical applications? Here's some practical number one, give God your first and your best. Don't give God your leftovers, prioritize your generosity. Listen, when that paycheck hits your bank account, give to God first. Give him your first, give him your best. Make it the first thing you do before any bill comes out. Give God your first and your best. Number two, give consistently. Make giving a regular part. Don't get paid and not give. Give a portion. Now, I know sometimes it takes some time to get up to the 10%, but give consistently until you can get your finances in order to get all the way to the 10%. Give prayerfully. Ask God what faithfulness looks like in your current season. You know, ask God, you know, given your current season, current debt load, current whatever's going on, ask God where he wants you to be. And listen, when God tells you what to give, you better give it. And number four, give joyfully, not out of guilt, not out of pressure, not out of trying to earn God's favor, give because that's what God asks you to do. So, how do we land the plane today? The greatest motivation for giving is not the law. The greatest motivation for giving is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because God gave his son. God gave to us first, God gave generously, God gave to us sacrificially. And why should we give to the church? Because giving is worship, because giving grows our faith in God, because giving advances the kingdom of God, which he calls us to take the gospel to the whole world. And because giving transforms our heart to look more like Jesus. So, my challenge for you today, whether you go to Hope Church, whether you go to whatever church you're listening to today, make giving a part of your life. Because listen, your pastor and your church cannot do it without your generosity. They cannot do your church is 100% funded by people like you. Uh, and the more generous you can be, the more your church can do, and the more your church can blow uh open the windows of heaven for your community. So, hey, thanks for being with us today. Uh, if you enjoyed this, please, please share it with your friends. If you're not a part of a church, uh, this is uh funded by Hope Church here in Cleaver. Uh, we have two locations here in Cleburn and Meridian. Cleaver is at 9 30 and 11 on Sunday mornings. Meridian is at 10 30. Uh, if you'd like to give to support this podcast, go to hopechurchcleur.com. You can give and support there. Uh, and it's all tax deductible. And we would love to have your support there. But hey, thanks for joining us today, and we will see you next time on Ask a Pastor.