Throughout the history of the church, giving has always been in the forefront of teaching.  When examining Scripture, we observe that it is a theme that is mentioned often both in the Old and New Testaments.  Although Scripture finds it an important topic, many churches find themselves in precarious positions financially.  When you look at the latest statistics on giving in the United States, it is almost embarrassing at how little difference there is between giving among Christians and the secular world.  Barna, in his article, “Giving to Churches has Declined”, gives the following statistics:

• In 2004 only 9% of born again Christians tithed to their church.
• The number of Evangelicals that tithed rose to 23%.

• Lack of motivation to give away their hard earned money because the church has lacked a compelling vision for how their money will make a difference in the world.
• They withhold money from the church because they do not see a sufficient return on their money.
• People do not realize the church needs their money to be effective.
• People are ignorant of what God's Word says about giving to change people's lives.
• People believe they worked hard for their money and should spend it as they please.

The question that must be asked is with all the teaching and seminars that are given each year on giving why are they having such little effect?  The answer may be we are approaching the topic from the wrong perspective.  

When the congregation knows that the Pastor or special speaker is going to speak on giving, inevitably they hear these words “here we go again, always talking on money.”   Giving, tithing and stewardship are not emphasized more often than any other topic, and still the response is the same, why?   Because no matter how many times you preach on giving only God can touch the heart of an individual to give.  Paul, I believe, shows us how to approach the whole idea of giving in our church.  

In II Corinthians 8:1-15, Paul spends a great deal of time talking about giving.  He uses the Macedonian Churches as an example.  In the first three verses we see that the churches in Macedonia were not only in poverty, but in abysmal penury.  This happened because of the persecution by both the Jews and Gentiles.  Being in this condition, they pleaded with Paul to let them give to the offering for the saints.  This didn't happen because of some teaching on giving they received, but because of an inner desire that compelled them to give.  Paul lists the five things in verse seven that caused them to give in such a way.

• Their faith: conviction in the truth of God.  They had complete reliance upon Christ for everything in their life.
• Their speech: when they spoke it was no different than their lifestyle.  They lived what they believed.
• Their knowledge: they knew the teachings of God and were willing to obey them.  It was not just intellectual knowledge, but knowledge that directed their will and life.
• Their earnestness:  they were eager to grow in every area of there life.  They were not satisfied with their relationship with Christ; they wanted to continue to grow in Him.
• Their love: the type of love that would not let them stand by why people were lost and needed the necessities of life.  It was the same love the Lord shows to us.

When the heart is not right with God all the teaching in the world will not change a person's attitude, only God can do that.  Maybe Paul is telling us that if we spend more time making disciples in these five areas, then we will respond the same way the Macedonians did to Paul and the saints.  

I had the privilege to travel to El Salvador with Compassion International and minister to the children and some parents that are sponsored by this organization.  My wife and I were not ready to see the poverty and living conditions these people have lived in their entire lives.  Their homes made of scrap steal with dirt floors were built on the side of the mountain.  In a severe rain storm they could be swept away with no warning.  In the eight days we were there we saw a people smiling and grateful for what they had and eager to share it with us.  Their poverty did not make them angry or bitter, but loving, giving and grateful for anything they received.  On one occasion we passed out stickers to the children.  They were so excited to receive them it took Patty and me by surprise. When we were finished, we were ready to throw away the empty pieces of paper, then one little girl asked if she could have it because it still had the outline of the stickers.  As we were leaving I took a picture of that little girl clinging to that paper we would throw away as scrap, as if it was the greatest treasure in the world.  Patty and I know we could not change the entire situation, but by giving some lives will be changed.  We have so much and because of the distractions of life, many times we are unable to give to Bless the One who blessed us with everything.  

Paul says change the heart and people will begin to give without even challenging them.  Yes teaching is important, but let us invest more time making disciples and we will not be able to hold back the flood gates. In Israel it is the greatest hope of a young Jewish boy to sit at the feet of a Rabbi. If he is chosen he will follow him very closely and do everything the Rabbi does during the day.   A saying that summarizes that experience in their culture is “how much dust do you have on you?”   It means that you need to follow so closely to the teacher that when his sandals throw up dust it should get all over the young man.  How much dust do we have on us from the Master?  When we are dusty, giving will take care of itself.    

Statistics found on “thegoodsteward.com” in the article “Giving to Churches has Declined”. Barna 04/28/05

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