We have no higher calling in the church today than to worship the Lord our God. Our very existence, in large part, is to proclaim the excellencies of Him. This worship manifests itself in our attitude and acts of reverence. The Hebrew word for worship means “to bow down, or prostrate oneself.”
Giving of finances is one form of worship. Philippians 4:18 calls the financial gift a “sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.” Paul begins this verse with a common phrase to acknowledge their gift, but switches to words associated with the OT sacrifices to show his readers that God views their gift as acceptable worship.
When the children of Israel offered sacrifices (thusia), they also gave offerings (prosphora) or gifts to the Lord and in this way worshiped Him. So it is with us today. When we give money to the Lord, by action we bow before Him and He accepts it as worship.
Surprisingly, the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross and financial giving are described with the same words. Ephesians 5:2 says, “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering (prosphora) and a sacrifice (thusia) to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Both our giving and the Lord Jesus’ gift of Himself are said to be a “sacrifice” and a “sweet smelling aroma” before the Father. This comparison is both amazing and humbling. Not only do we have a God who accepts our feeble gifts, but through Christ He takes great pleasure in them.
Our God is a Giver
He is recorded as giving rain (Lev. 26:4), grass for cattle (Deut. 11:15), life in battle (Jer. 45:5), and much more. Of course by far the offering of the Lord Jesus as our payment for sin is the greatest example of God’s giving. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Every good gift and every perfect gift in our lives is from above, and in Christ, God will freely give us all things. So, God is the author of giving. He designed it and sets the perfect example for us. It is His gift that saves us from being alone, where the worm never dies, where the fire is never quenched, forever and ever. The appreciation and adoration of our great giving God compels us to be givers, too.
Give God the First and the Best
From Genesis to Revelation the Word calls us to give the Lord first place in our lives. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3), Jehovah declares. Examining the use of our finances is a great way to test where God is on our list of priorities. I learned this lesson by failure as a younger married man. I wanted to do something nice for my wife so I took her out to a costly dinner. The next Sunday I sat in the Remembrance meeting and struggled to concentrate. With a heavy heart, I sat there knowing I had nothing from that paycheck to give to my Saviour. I had preferred my wife over my God. Please note that I have no objection to dinners with loved ones. God has given us all things to richly enjoy. I have taken my wife to many dinners since and, Lord willing, plan to continue. What I needed to learn was to give to the Lord first, and then give my wife the best I could with what was left. She never would have gone if she had known, but I had chosen to honor her over the Lord.
God’s Word speaks about our priorities in financial matters. Malachi 1:6 states, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” At this point in history, the people of God were offering the Lord their leftovers and scraps. Rather than bringing a pure sacrifice, they brought the blind, lame and sick animals to give. An Israelite wouldn’t offer a loved one the leftover scraps from their plates, but that is what they were giving to God.
I fear that our giving often tells the Lord the same thing today. Are you giving the first of your income and the best that you have, or do you give to Him if there is enough left over at the end of the month? The Israelites didn’t stop giving; they just moved the Lord down the list of priorities.
Under the Mosaic law, obedient Israelites started giving at ten percent and there were many offerings above that. The Law of liberty claims more of us than the Mosaic law ever did. All of our income belongs to the Lord. The NT teaches us that the more we sow (give) the more we will reap (2 Cor. 9:6). “Therefore, as you abound in everything…see that you abound in this grace also” (2 Cor. 8:7).
We should focus on giving the way Mary did in John 12. She poured a pound of perfume that cost a year’s salary on the feet of Jesus. She was unmistakably putting the Lord first and giving Him her best. This action earned her high praise. We must ask ourselves how we compare to such examples in God’s Word. What does your giving say about your love for Christ? Is He first, just a part, or no part at all?
Give to the Lord Sacrificially
Biblical teaching on giving does not stop at giving a tithe off the top of our wealth. God’s Word praises sacrificial giving. David said he would not give to the Lord “that which costs me nothing” (1 Chron. 21:24). Worshipful giving has always been a sacrifice for the giver. Sacrificial giving is a privileged way to show our love for the Lord.
John Wanamaker, the Philadelphia Christian businessman, traveled to China to see the fruit of his giving to missionaries. While there, he came across an elderly man guiding a plow. The plow was being pulled by one ox and one young man. The saints in the area had a need they had been praying for, so the young man had gone to his grandfather and suggested they sell one ox and give the proceeds for the need. With the grandfather’s permission, he did so, and had since taken the ox’s place under the yoke. Say what we will about being reasonable, a heart for sacrificial giving like this young man displayed will be noticed in heaven and greatly rewarded.
Second Corinthians 8:1-9 tells a story of the giving of the Macedonian churches. Careful examination of this passage shows us the occasion, extent, attitude and example of sacrificial giving.
The Occasion (v. 2). Their gift was given in a time of their own “great trial…and deep poverty.” They had deep personal needs, yet they chose to give. The most natural thing for us to do when we are struggling is to look after ourselves, yet in a great trial and with deep poverty, the Macedonians trusted the Lord with their needs and gave. They knew that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
The Extent (8:3). They were willing to give according to “their ability…and beyond their ability.” They chose not only tithing but sacrificial giving. We can only guess what they might have given up to send this gift, but whatever it was, they are glad today that they did. We would do well to follow their lead.
Their Attitude (v. 3). They gave out of hearts that were “freely willing” for God loves a cheerful giver (9:7). Their gift is a joyful response to the grace and love shown them by the Lord.
Their Example (v. 9). The Lord Jesus shows us the way. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Is it too much that we sacrifice for the Lord? Should we give things up for Him? He sacrificed and gave everything for us with joy (see Mt. 13:44). He is worth it every time. What gift could be too much?
We meet and remember the Lord on a weekly basis and speak a lot about the priority of worship. Our God views proper giving as acceptable worship. We need to examine our giving in light of NT examples and exhortations. We are to give the Lord the first and the best, remembering that every good thing in our lives comes from Him. Sacrificial giving shows the Lord our love and is a great way to model ourselves after the Saviour who gave Himself for us. May the Lord stir our hearts to give. May He take our gifts and use them mightily for His perfect work. May our giving reflect a determined, steadfast and sacrificial love for the One who gives so liberally to us. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15).
We lose what on ourselves we spend,
We have as treasures without end,
Whatever, Lord, to Thee we lend,
Who givest all.
—Christopher Wordsworth
Written by Scott DeGroff