8 Awesome Benefits to Giving Back to God

Inside: Money can be a tool to follow God’s will and spread His word. It is not our money, but God’s money. Learn the benefits to giving back to God.

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This has been a hard post to write so I have spent a few days in the Word. When you talk about money, people get defensive. They tune-out and find themselves getting angry.

How many of you tuned out already?

All church wants is money, you’ve heard that right?

 

As a result, it’s a hard topic for me because I’m struggling with this too.

I want to give till it hurts, but I still enjoy my coffee from the local coffee shop every week.  We purchase without even considering how this will affect our giving.

As to not come across as a hypocrite,  I’m admitting I don’t have it all figured out.

I want to live in a way where I give all I have to God.  However, my fear overtakes me, will God really provide for me if money is tight?

The woman who clutches her purse tightly isn’t focusing on eternal provisions. Click To Tweet

Let’s dig down and see if we are able to trust in God with money.

George Mueller

George lived during the 1800s and was a Christian Evangelist and Director of the Ashley Downs Orphanage. He was a pastor at a chapel in England and decided to forgo his salary and just depend on God to meet his needs through unsolicited gifts.

The orphanages were run the same way. No requests were made for financial support, so everything was freely given. Many times, there wasn’t enough food for the next meal, but every time the need was met. George eventually cared for 10,000 orphans.

Wow! I want a faith like that!

Is this how God wants me to live? Did you hear me gulp?

Reading about George’s faith really made me feel lousy about my own faith, so I turned to Scripture to see what I could glean from God.

What does God have to say about money?

1. It belongs to Him.
2. Money can be used for good or evil.
3. Money has power.
4. Having money does not equal safety.
5. Money is earthly.
6. Money causes empty promises.
7. Separates us from God.
8. Can’t be trusted.

Obviously, money is important, and the church and kingdom work needs it for work.

Advancing and sharing the Word of God takes a lot of money.

Pastors, church staff, and missionaries need money to live and support their families.

The church needs money in order to spread the Gospel and carry out His will.

Do we use it for God’s purposes, or do we accumulate it for ourselves?

Saving for the future is wise, but hoarding it, is putting trust in the safety of money, instead of the arms of the Safety Net. Click To Tweet

Instead of “what’s in your wallet,” what’s in your heart in regards to trust?

God tells us (Matt 19:21) we need to be smart and maintain balance. We are responsible for our own needs, and the needs of our families. God wants us to give generously, and practice good stewardship (Proverbs 6:1-5). We are to act responsibly because He doesn’t promise to cover unwise commitments.
God asks us to start with a 10% portion, but if this is too much, we can start with any portion.

The important action is giving back with a heart filled with faith and gratitude.

Can we be willing to give it up if God asks us to?

If we don’t give, we end up in worse financial shape. Withholding money from God is like robbing Him.
Yikes!

Can you trust God by giving back?

Here’s the foundational question.

Who are you serving?

The money we earn is not ours.

Everything we possess comes directly or indirectly from God and belongs to Him. Faith causes us to give back a portion to Him, and also share a portion with those in need.

How do we give generously?

1. Dedicate it to God.
2. Keep an eternal versus earthly perspective.
3. Be accountable.
4. Give willingly.
5. Pray for God’s direction.
6. Offer in faith and trust.
7. Pray for God’s direction.
8. Help the poor.

We’ve learned we shouldn’t test God, right? 

⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God (Matthew 4:7, NLT).

However did you know in Malachi 3:10, God tells us to test Him in regards to giving?
Are you putting trust in God with money?

¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (Malachi 3:10, NLT).

When we live in a way where we give totally dependent on God, we see an increase of blessings. Not always material or monetary blessings, but blessings in the future, and rewards in Heaven.

Money can be a tool to follow God’s will and spread His word.

If our hearts are firm on God, we will give in a way that honors Him. Faith causes us to help others and to live generously in our giving.

The faith-filled woman opens her hands and gives trusting securely in her Savior’s provisions.

We grow in faith when we allow trust in God with money.

Money, Possessions, and EternityThe Law of Rewards: Giving what you can’t keep to gain what you can’t lose.Managing God’s Money: A Biblical GuideThe Treasure Principle Bible Study: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving