Money Matters: Trust, Fear, and Biblical Generosity
Money is one of the most revealing indicators of our spiritual health, yet it remains one of the most challenging topics for Christians to discuss openly. In our latest podcast episode, we explored the biblical perspective on generosity and how our relationship with money reflects our trust in God. When we examine why people struggle with giving, despite knowing it's the right thing to do, one answer consistently emerges: fear of not having enough. This fear reveals that while we may claim to trust God with our lives, we often try to maintain control over our finances.
Scripture directly addresses this tension in 1 Timothy 6:17, warning against putting hope in uncertain wealth rather than in God "who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." This verse highlights an important truth – God doesn't want us to merely survive on the bare minimum; He wants us to enjoy life while using money as a tool rather than seeing it as security. The difference between these perspectives becomes evident when we look at biblical examples of giving.
The rich young ruler in Mark 10 approached Jesus with what seems like the ultimate question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus, looking at him with love, identified the one thing holding this man back – his wealth. When Jesus instructed him to sell everything, give to the poor, and follow Him, the man walked away sorrowful because his possessions had a grip on his heart. This story isn't about money being inherently wrong; rather, it reveals how our identity and security can become dangerously tied to our possessions.
In stark contrast, 2 Corinthians 8 describes the Macedonian churches who, despite "extreme poverty," gave with "abundance of joy" that "overflowed in a wealth of generosity." The juxtaposition is striking – severe affliction alongside abundance of joy, extreme poverty alongside overflowing wealth of generosity. This demonstrates that genuine generosity isn't determined by how much we have but by how much we care and trust God.
Interestingly, the New Testament doesn't prescribe specific percentages for giving like the Old Testament tithe. Instead, it focuses on the heart behind the giving. However, if we want numerical examples, we find Zacchaeus committing to give 50% of his possessions to the poor, while the poor widow gave 100% – "all the livelihood she had." Both acts demonstrated tremendous faith, trust, and surrender.
What holds us back from such generosity? Several common struggles emerge: fear of not having enough, desire for control, materialism that prioritizes comfort over giving, and simple unawareness of needs around us. Scripture challenges these mindsets in 2 Corinthians 9, using the metaphor of sowing seeds – "whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." Generosity isn't about losing what we give; it's about planting seeds that God promises to multiply.
The purpose of this multiplication isn't to increase our wealth but to increase our capacity for generosity. As 2 Corinthians 9:11 states, "You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way." The beautiful outcome of this generosity cycle is that it produces thanksgiving to God from those who receive. When we give generously, we create opportunities for others to glorify God, which aligns perfectly with our ultimate purpose as believers.
Our challenge this week is simple but profound: Ask yourself, "Am I being generous with what God has given me?" Then, choose one way to be generous this week. It might require sacrifice, perhaps giving slightly beyond what feels comfortable. But in doing so, you're not just meeting someone's need; you're creating an opportunity for thanksgiving and glory to be directed toward God. In giving freely, we discover the truth of Jesus's words in Acts 20:35: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."