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Let’s talk about the G word. You know of what I speak. Giving is that topic that for ages has caused many people to bristle. They might say, “Hey, that’s no big deal,” but I am willing to bet that if the pastor taught a 4-part sermon series on why it is godly to give generously to the local church, it would definitely become a big deal.
To be clear, it’s not that general conversation about money makes some believers squirm. People actually want to hear what God has to say about our dollars and cents. But giving is another matter. So many church people would rather their pastor not spend too much time talking about giving. Maybe they think it seems self-serving. If a pastor spends a lot of time preaching about the values of giving, it makes some people feel uncomfortable. Is he trying to line his pockets? Does the church need a new coffee bar and that costs money?
The thing is, one major reason your pastor might preach about giving is because the Bible has a LOT to say about giving:
Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Galatians 6:6 – “The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.”
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 – “Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.
There are many more than these. While the church might not be in perfect alignment about the meaning of all these verses, no one should be surprised or bothered when a preacher talks about financial giving. It is that person’s responsibility to exposit the Word of God to the people. Avoiding topics of any kind simply because the people might find them uncomfortable is not only a bad idea, but it is suggested that the preacher will be held to a stricter accountability should that person mishandle or avoid parts of Scripture (James 3:1).
So, this is one pastor and preacher who wants you to hear it straight. You should give financially to God and His church (both local and global). He wants you to do it with a cheerful and generous heart. He wants you to know that it is good to support your church in this way.
One final point: God is not instructing any of us to give because He needs our money. Likewise, a responsible pastor/teacher is not teaching people to give because they need your money. Giving (money, time, resources, talents, etc.) is a component of holy living. It benefits both giver and receiver. Christ lived a life about giving. To not give is to be disobedient.
And well, none of us wants that. 😊
You might go to a church where the culture has zero problems with a message on money. My prayer is that such a thing never change. Or you might go to a church where the pastor talks about giving frequently in a "we need your tithe" kind of way. That's not healthy, and might require a response from you.
But giving is godly. Let us not ever grow weary in hearing what our Lord and Saviour has to say about our money and our giving.