Also, see posts Rewards for Giving as part of God’s plan for Your Financial Security.
Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to get on top of your finances? What you may not realize is that failing to put God first in your finances is the root of financial problems. God doesn’t ask you for the “leftovers.” He promises that if you give to Him first, He will see to it that your “barns will be filled to overflowing!” Here are the principles of giving for financial security:
1. You Must Purpose In Your Heart To Give
Don’t wait for a thundering voice from above to tell you to give. God has revealed in His Word His will regarding giving, so give! YOU must purpose in your heart to do it.
2. You Must Give Regularly
Giving must become a habit, a way of life for you. Satan will set many traps to tempt you not to give. His excuses will seem very plausible, but don’t listen to him. God promises in Galatians 6:9 that if we do not weary of well-doing, “in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.” So, don’t give up! Don’t be discouraged in times of testing. Continue to give regularly, and you will see God work miracles on your behalf.
3. Giving Must Be Done Cheerfully
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
4. Giving Should Sometimes Be Sacrificial
However, what looks like a “sacrifice” on this side of our obedience turns out to be the door into the “wealthy place” on the other side (Psalm 66:12).
Remember the story of the poor widow who gave all she had in the offering. Jesus used her as an example to us of how we should give. He said in Mark 12:43-44, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all, they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Read also Philippians 4:18, and 2 Samuel 24:24.)
5. Giving Must Be Generous
God has promised many benefits to the generous giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, the Bible says, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (Read also 2 Corinthians 8:7; Proverbs 28:22; Proverbs 22:9; Psalm 37:21, and Proverbs 11:24-25.)
6. Giving Must Be Done In Faith and Obedience to God’s Word
In Romans 6:16, the Bible says, “Know Ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?”
7. Giving Must Be Done For Jesus’ and For the Gospels’ Sake
In 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV), the Bible says, “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” When you, as a Christian, are obedient to give generously, then the effectiveness of your witness to unbelievers will be magnified.
Scripture Meditations for Financial Security:
- Proverbs 3:9-10
- Matthew 6:24-34
- Malachi 3:8-11
- Deuteronomy 14:23
