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1. My giving is a private matter between God and me, no one else.

In many cultures, a person's checkbook is considered no one else's business. In a similar way, some Christians say that their giving is a private matter, information to which only God is privy. They point to Jesus' admonition in Matthew 6: "When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."

But Jesus' words have to do with inner motives for giving, not with a privilege of privacy. Give to please God, not man. Generous Giving never suggests how much to give, when, or to whom, or asks you how much you have given in the past. Instead, Generous Giving provides supportive, non-judgmental environments in which Christians can comfortably discuss the challenges and the blessings of embarking on a journey of generosity.

2. The Bible is about religious and moral issues, and not about money at all, let alone charitable giving.

People sometimes believe that the Bible has only to do with "religious matters," that is, church attendance, individual conversion, and personal piety, when in fact, the Bible deals with all topics. The Bible covers the waterfront of human life because the Gospel of God's redemption extends across all aspects of human life.

The scriptures say, God reconciles all things to Himself through Christ (Colossians 1:20). "All things" certainly includes money and material possessions so it is no surprise to find that the Bible speaks plainly and frequently about these topics.

Christianity does not separate reality into "spiritual" and "material" spheres. In the Bible, all of life (including the use of money) is spiritual because God is involved in it. The Bible has much to say about giving; and these key Bible verses on money and stewardship offer an excellent place to start.

3. The Bible commands us to give in secret, so we shouldn’t be talking about this.

Jesus' admonition to "not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" is not a prohibition from public giving.

In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus warns against doing things for the purpose of impressing others, yet this does not mean that everything about giving must be private or hidden. As sinners reconciled to God, David, Barnabas, and the Macedonians inspired others with their public generosity, and Paul publicly expressed his gratitude for the generous giving of his congregations (1 Chronicles 29, Acts 4:32-37, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:1-5; Philippians 4:14-18). In fact, because of the danger of the love of money, consulting openly with other believers about stewardship practices can be wise and even necessary. Your generosity may inspire others to give, providing them greater opportunity to praise God (2 Corinthians 9:11).

4. The tithe does not apply to Christians today, only to Old Testament Israel.

Jesus called His followers to give with great generosity, which makes the tithe a good starting point. The tradition of the Old Testament tithe was a mandatory gift equaling a tenth of one's income, but had a number of caveats. For example, Old Testament tithing applied to crops and animals from the Promised Land, not to all income in every time and place, nor was it limited to ten percent, for there were three tithes (two every year and one every three years) and many other offerings and gifts that were also part of traditional Jewish life.

The tithe may be a helpful guideline as it reminds Christians to give proportionally to the Lord in accordance with His blessings, since God owns it all. But by New Testament standards, settling for ten percent can position you to neglect true generosity. Biblical generosity calls for loving God with all that you are, loving your neighbors as yourself, (Luke 10:25-37) and imitating the sacrificial example of Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 John 3:16-18).

5. Christians are under grace, not under law, so the obligation to give does not apply to me.

Yes, Christians are under the principle of grace, not the principle of law. In other words, righteousness comes not by behaving in the right way, but by trusting God for His salvation (Galatians 3:11). However, this does not exempt Christians from behaving in the right way.

Being saved by grace does not make adultery, murder, or theft an acceptable action, nor does it excuse Christians to be biblically disobedient to God's directive for Christ-modeled generosity. The law–God's will for how His children ought to live–is still be the standard and guide for Christians today (Romans 7:12). But grace–God's gift to His children–makes obedience an attainable reality. Grace is not only forgiveness for past sins but also empowerment for future obedience. Grace does not mean that God does not expect you to give generously; it means that He will give you the strength to do it and reward you accordingly.

The apostle Paul explains, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Yet, interestingly, this verse falls in the middle of a passage urging Christians to give generously (vv 6-15). Paul's point does not give license for selfishness, but cultivates a love of generosity. Paul wants Christians to feel free, creative, and excited to give far beyond the ten percent benchmark. This liberating freedom encourages you not to live selfishly but to excel in good deeds.

6. The Bible says that each man should give what he has decided in his own heart to give. So I am free to give as much or as little as I choose, even not at all.

The apostle Paul said, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Looking at only this verse, one might think that Paul says each person is at liberty to decide whether to give anything at all. But reading vv6-15 of this chapter tells a very different story. Paul's point is that he wants Christians to feel free, creative, and excited to give far beyond the ten percent benchmark. The Apostle Paul is reminding people that because Jesus has brought redemption, the tithe laws of the Old Testament have been replaced by the freedom to excel in Christ-modeled generosity.

7. I’m saved, so it doesn’t matter how much I give, or even whether I give at all.

Being saved is what matters most, but it does not exempt Christians from giving. In fact, it does just the opposite. In no way does giving (or any other good work) secure God's favor. However, once you are made new by the Gospel, that same Gospel changes you, inspiring you to practice generosity (and other good works) out of thanksgiving to and love for God.

Giving does not determine salvation, but for Christians, the grace that saves them also leads them to give. In fact, the Bible says, if one claims to be saved but refuses to give to people in need, then he or she may be deceiving himself about being saved in the first place (James 2:14-17). Precisely because you are saved, giving matters greatly.

8. God loves a cheerful giver, but I am not cheerful about giving, so it’s better not to give at all.

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), but He also loves obedience and a willingness to seek His favor, even when it is done with trepidation or mixed emotions. Like so many areas of a Christian life, obedience in giving can be hard. The joy might only come during or after the obedient act. But the same God who loves the cheerful giver (v. 7) promises to give you the grace you need to give cheerfully (v. 8). Aspire to be a joyful giver, starting when necessary, by asking for His help.

9. I don’t owe God anything.

The Bible repeatedly refers to God as the owner of all things and all people (Psalm 24:1), especially those people He has redeemed from sin and destruction. When you think about it, Christians owe God everything–their existence, their future, the grace of everlasting life. By putting your hope and faith in Christ, He purchases you. He becomes not just your Savior, but your Lord and Master as well, to whom you owe it all.

And although God is your Lord and Master, He is a loving Father who wants you to know the joys that can only be experienced by living a life of Christ-like generosity.

10. I don’t owe my church anything.

Churches are God's vehicles to bring salvation and discipleship to the nations (Acts 2:42-47 & Acts 4:32-37). The number of ways each person is blessed by his own church and other churches makes the value of churches more tangible and makes it easier to see how the love of others (expressed in giving for missions, pastoral salaries, resources, projects and buildings, etc.) has an eternal impact on all church members.

As you have been blessed by your church, seek to act through your church to bless others.

11. I don’t owe the poor anything.

God teaches that Christians do owe the poor, although not in the way many people think. In God's economy, serving those in need is serving Him, and failing to serve those in need is failing to serve Him (Matthew 25:31-46).

Romans 13:8 says to owe no debt to others except love, and Jesus teaches that loving others means caring for them in the same way you would want to be loved. How would you want to be cared for if you were poor and in need while others around you had abundance?

Jesus makes the same point in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Providing care for the physically and emotionally wounded; being a parent to an orphan or unwanted child; providing job training and economic empowerment; and providing emergency relief after famine, war, disease, and natural disasters are all possible aspects of paying the Christian's debt of love. What Christians owe the poor is only what Christians owe Christ himself.

12. If I were to give to the church, it would only contribute further to the greed and corruption among church leaders.

Greed and corruption are entirely inappropriate among church leadership, but does your giving–or the giving of any other Christian–really foster these evils?

Giving to the church is an act of giving to the Lord. If Christians treat their gifts to the church, as they are "membership dues" in that church, they completely miss the points both of church membership and of giving. Likewise, pointing fingers at the motives and actions of pastors and other church leaders puts one at risk to be judged in the same way. (Matthew 7:1-2). The Bible says that the elders of the church are worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17) which means that a critical attitude toward them is doubly inappropriate.

The church does not represent membership in God's club, nor is it the embodiment of the pastor or other leaders. Instead, the church is all the people who worship and fellowship there; it is their vehicle for Christian outreach to others, and, above all else, it is the bride of Jesus Christ, and should be honored as such.

13. I don’t have the spiritual gift of giving.

God gives different spiritual gifts to different people (Romans 12:6), and giving is one of the spiritual gifts (Romans 12:8). However, it does not follow from this that people who do not have the gift of giving are therefore exempt from the responsibility of giving or are deprived of the joys and privileges of giving. In the same way that not all Christians have the spiritual gift of evangelism, each is still called to be active in the sharing of God's Word. (1 Peter 3:15).

Yes, some Christians experience the calling of generosity more deeply than do others, but all Christians are called to give generously to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:7) because each has received the generosity of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9). Excel in your spiritual gifts, but be faithful in all of God's commands.

14. There’s a good chance my donation would be misappropriated or wasted.

Misappropriation of gifts is possible, but it does not excuse us from the Christian responsibility of giving. In fact, statistically, the chances of gifts being mishandled are quite low. When a donor gives to a ministry that has financial accountability structures in place, he or she can have great confidence that the donation will go to the right place.

Even if a gift were to be misappropriated, it is the goodwill of the giver, not the faithfulness of the recipient, which makes the gift worthwhile. In fact, Jesus tells His followers to give even to people whose intentions are unethical (Luke 6:27-36). How can this be? The answer is: Give because the Gospel is true, not because one has perfect assurance of proper financial management.

15. My donation will only encourage the poor to rely on handouts, rather than earn a living for themselves.

Debilitating dependence on handouts is a possibility, but it is not a reason to avoid the opportunity to give. God does not approve of idleness on the part of the poor. Paul who wrote to certain idlers at the church in Thessalonica said, "If a man shall not work, he shall not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Elsewhere, Paul writes to converted thieves that they should work so that they can have something to give to others (Ephesians 4:28). But rebuking the idle is God's business, not man's.

God tells believers to give generously to the poor (Luke 12:33), period; He does not say to sit in judgment over them (James 4:11), especially not in judgment that results in a failing to give. Model Christ-like generosity not judgment.

16. God doesn’t need my money.

God doesn't need your money. In the Scriptures He says, "I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. ... If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it" (Psalm 50:9-12).

God clearly does not need your money or your generosity, but He wants your obedience and He wants you to have the opportunity to experience all the joys of generosity (Matthew 6:21). Christians give to God not because He needs it, but because they need it (Philippians 4:17).

17. The church doesn’t need my money.

God has, with sovereignty, built His church and will never let it expire (Matthew 16:18), so in that respect, the church does not need your money. But God's chosen means of providing for His church is through the gifts of the people (2 Corinthians 9:11), and in that regard, the church does need what you give. The fact that God provides for the church should make Christians more, not less, eager to give, as Christians, changed by the Gospel, participate with God in the work of His church.

18. I don’t agree with my church’s teachings.

Many people have used this excuse when a new pastor or lay leaders take a role in a church. Before you convince yourself to quit giving to your church, seek out published, thoughtful, biblically centered resources for study and ask your pastor or other leaders to study the contested issues with you in a small group setting. If humble and respectful investigation and dialogue does not resolve the issue, you should probably pray about giving and attending elsewhere.

However, any church worth attending deserves your faithful financial support. Consider that the Bible may allow freedom regarding the matter at hand and that you and others simply have different opinions. Do not withhold giving, as long as you remain a part of the church.

19. I’m not going to support my church’s endowment because that money just sits there.

An endowment can be an effective way to finance the Lord's work. Properly used, endowments can be financial tools that free churches to minister locally and globally, particularly when meeting long-term ministry needs.

The Lord connects His children to churches for His purposes, and so that they can provide support for one another's spiritual and material needs. If you have a serious conscientious objection to giving monies to an endowment, don't just withdraw your gifts. Rather, meet with your pastor to discuss your hesitations and ask about other, non-endowed church ministries to which you might give.

20. My pastor ought to get a day job, like the apostle Paul; that’s a more biblical way to minister.

Paul sometimes tried not to ask certain churches for money if he feared that his motives would be questioned or that he would be associated with those trying to get rich from preaching (1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 9:3-14). Usually, however, this resulted in him asking for money from other churches (2 Corinthians 11:7-9). Why take money from some but not from others? It seems that Paul cautiously avoided taking money from problem churches, while he joyfully raised support from spiritually healthy churches. In fact, the normal pattern for healthy churches seems to be financial support for their spiritual leaders (see 1 Timothy 5:17-19; chapters 5 and 6 are largely about Christian finances).

Paul defended and engaged in this practice himself, relying on the support of others when he was in need (Philippians 4:14-19). In this regard Paul followed Jesus, who Himself relied on the gifts of others and taught His disciples to do the same (Luke 8:1-4; 10:7). In so doing, the early Christians learned how to trust God and rely on their family–the church.

Paul instructs Christians to share with those who teach them the Word (Galatians 6:6). He told the Philippians that he wasn't primarily concerned with their gift for him but with "what may be credited to your account" when they gave (Philippians 4:17).

In most cases, a pastor's ministry is his day job, and it is right for the church to give him due compensation. Such an arrangement is quite biblical and in keeping with Paul's own teaching in 1 Corinthians 9.

21. Money is the root of all evil; it has no place in the church.

The Bible never says that money is the root of all evil; 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils" (emphasis added).

In fact, money is a helpful tool that God gives His children in order to carry out His work. Missions, poverty relief, pastoral care, and even building projects all require the collection of money. There are numerous examples from Scripture where God's people collected money in order to carry out His work (Exodus 35:4ff [and verses following]; 1 Chronicles 29:2-9; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

But the Bible warns repeatedly to be careful in the way one handles money, for Christians should not put anything above loving God. Churches must address money, just as Jesus and the apostles did, and teach others to be generous in a way that is appropriate for children under the care of the King.

22. I’m only one person. My gift is no good if no one else is giving.

One solitary person can provide a great example for others, even in matters of stewardship. Jesus used a widow's generosity as one of His most meaningful examples (Luke 21:1-4), while Paul used one obscure, poor group of Christians as an example of generosity for rich Christians in Corinth (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; also Acts 4:36-37).

Do not let other's actions or inactions determine what is right for you or stop you from acts of generosity. Trust God that He can use your gifts in ways you could never possibly imagine, as Jesus illustrated in the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Luke 9:13-17). The giving started with only a few fishes and a few loaves, but Jesus' power meant the gift was far more effective than anyone could have predicted. Even if those around you are not presently giving, God is able to use your gifts to meet needs and inspire others to generosity.

23. I have more than I need. But I am not prepared to live like a pauper.

Some people think it unfair that needy people might actually end up well off, while donors find themselves hard-pressed as a consequence of giving. In fact, the apostle Paul once encountered this very objection from some hesitant would-be givers. He answered saying: "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard-pressed, but that there might be equality" (2 Corinthians 8:13). Paul knew that people who have been changed by the Gospel consider others more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3). They do not sit by and watch others suffer while they have plenty.

No one expects Christians to live like paupers. But abundance comes because of God's grace and giving, so that you may help others and model the generosity of Jesus. (James 5:1-6).

 

24. I have spent a lifetime securing my financial independence. I can’t throw it all away now.

Financial independence is an important goal for many Americans, and for good reason. Independence is preferable to dependence on family, government handouts, or dishonest gain. But what really counts is being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21), seeking His kingdom and giving generously to those in need (Luke 12:31, 33)–even if this means less of a comfort or security factor in one's investment portfolio.

Trust the God who takes care of all creation (Luke 12:22-28. Financial independence is good, but it is a gift granted by God so that you can pour out gifts generously to others just as He has blessed you generously.

When you give, make yourself financially dependent on God to take care of you. He gave his own Son, therefore His children can certainly count on Him to give all that they might need (Romans 8:32). Ironically, it turns out that a Christian's ultimate goal is not financial independence in the world, but financial dependence on God.

25. I would like to give, but I’d have to work another job or drastically cut back my standard of living.

Many people say that they cannot give when in fact, they are actually saying they cannot bring themselves to give without a reduction in their standard of living. Yet, sacrificial giving is exactly what the Bible invites Christians to do.

The Bible's greatest example of generosity is the Lord Jesus himself, who made himself unimaginably poor in order to make His believers rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Embrace both the idea of additional labor (Ephesians 4:28) and of scaling back your indulgences and standards (Luke 21:4) in order to create more opportunities for giving.

26. We would give, but we are a young couple with no nest egg. (Or) We would like to give. But we are only a few years from retirement, paying for two kids in college, and have very little saved. (Or) Next year I have a promotion coming. We will give then, but right now the budget is pretty tight.

Isn't it interesting that at every stage in life, there are tempting reasons not to give? Yet aren't budgets always tight?

Early married life, late middle age, and career transition are all periods of relative economic vulnerability. And yet, nowhere do the scriptures exempt the economically vulnerable from generosity. In fact, ironically, many biblical examples of generous givers are poor people (Luke 21:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Jesus tells His followers not to be afraid for their well-being. God has been pleased to give you the kingdom; His grace helps you put fear aside and lay up your treasure in heaven by giving to others (Luke 12:32-34).

God knows what you need, and He promises to provide it (Matthew 6:32). If God is inviting you to give, however vulnerable you might feel, you need not fear for your security. But if you are waiting to give until you feel financially secure enough, that time likely will never come. Ironically, God assures you that giving is the most financially secure move you can make. But the experience of His provision comes only after the act of giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). That is how faith works, and God invites you to test Him in this (Malachi 3:10).

27. I’m too young to give; I really just need to focus on being a student.

People may feel compelled to use this argument at any of several times: (1) American teenagers occupy a strange position between financial childhood and adulthood, owning nothing but sometimes spending a great deal. (2) College students and their families have a notoriously difficult financial time, as many students are almost completely dependent on loans, earning no income but acquiring large debts. (3) Graduate students, likewise, face heavy financial burdens with only part-time income and the prospect of future stability. If anyone can be exempt from giving, you might think, it would be these groups. But the Bible teaches that giving is the privilege and responsibility of all God's children, regardless of age or income.

Many biblical examples of generous givers are people who have next to nothing (Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-2). The givers were changed by God's Gospel of redemption in Jesus, and they were able to relate to God as a caring Father who meets their needs. They knew God was giving them His kingdom, and as a result they were not afraid to give away what little they had in order to store their treasures in heaven (Luke 12:22-34).

It may be difficult, but Christian students should make giving to the Lord a priority in their lives. Do you receive an allowance? Do you work odd jobs or a part-time position? Take what little income you have, and begin to give to the Lord from that. At every stage in life, you can always find reasons to postpone giving until later (car payments, house mortgage, kids' tuition, etc.). The best possible thing you can do is to start cultivating the practice early. Although it is hard to believe, God says that giving is the most financially secure move you can make because He will provide for your needs in the meanwhile (2 Corinthians 9:8, Matthew 5:38-48). (See more specific excuses for not giving by youth and teens.)

28. I am in the lower or middle income bracket. Giving is really the responsibility of wealthy people.

Giving has nothing to do with how much money a person does or does not have, only with the direction of a person's heart. People sometimes have the idea that only the wealthy can or should be generous. But throughout the Bible, examples of generous givers are often those of very poor people (Luke 21:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:1-6).

Many people whose hearts have been changed by God's Gospel of redemption in Jesus come to understand that God's desire is to give them the kingdom. As a result, they are not afraid to give away what little they have in order to store their treasures in heaven (Luke 12:32-34). All Christians can aspire to the kind of generosity that Jesus taught and the apostles praised.

29. I’ll leave some money in my will. But I can’t give right now.

In general, try to give so that you can control the direction of your gifts and receive the eternal benefit of turning those gifts over to God's kingdom. In the words of veteran financial advisor Ron Blue, "Do your giving while you're living, so you're knowing where it's going."

The Bible says that wealthy people have no knowledge of what will become of their wealth when they die (Luke 12:16-21). Giving, by definition, means releasing goods from your hands back into the hands of God, for the sake of His kingdom. Wealth given after your life is over is not given; it is left and "left wealth" does not reflect the standard for generosity presented in the New Testament (Luke 12:15-21 and 1Timothy 6:18-19).

Failing to practice generosity in this life shows a commitment to your kingdom, not God's kingdom. That which is worthwhile to give when you die, is all the more worthwhile to give while you are still living.

30. My financial advisor says I shouldn’t give anything this year.

Giving is God's will for all those who have been saved and blessed by Him. The decision of how much to give lies between you and God, not between you and your financial advisors. Your advisors have not provided you with all that you have and they certainly cannot bless you in eternity.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 provides clear instruction on what the rich must do: be rich in good works, sharing with those in need, knowing that such actions store up "treasure ... a good foundation for the future." Waiting to give for tax purposes may sometimes makes good sense and allow you to increase your gift, but never turn off the tap of grace-inspired generosity for any reason, even in order to meet certain financial goals of comfort and security. God will meet your needs and is particularly pleased to do so when His children seek first His kingdom with the wealth He has entrusted them (see Luke 12:15-34).

31. I am already a generous person.

Many Christians feel that they are generous, compared to other people they know, but what is the Bible's standard for generosity? The Old Testament established the tithe system–the giving of a tenth. Few Christians in America give even a tenth of their earnings. And ten percent may be very meager in God's eyes as Jesus' single chosen example of generosity is a poverty-stricken widow who gave her last two pennies (Mark 12:41-44), giving one hundred percent of all she owned.

The apostle Paul points to Jesus' own example, subjecting himself to the most terrible poverty in order to enrich believers. (2 Corinthians 8:9). Are you generous if you give by fractions and not in abundance?

32. I already tithe out of my paycheck; I can’t afford to tithe out of my gross income.

Giving God ten percent of net (post-tax) rather than gross (pre-tax) income is a common practice among American Christians. Pastors often encourage these Christians to give ten percent from their gross incomes instead. But such distinctions miss the point. Is ten percent of either gross or net, what God calls on you to give?

Instead of trying to create artificial standards and percentages for giving, give generously in keeping with Jesus' clear command to love others as He loved and gave Himself (John 15:12-13; 2 Corinthians 8:9, 13-15; 1 John 3:16-18). God desires you to give your very best to Him, not your leftovers (Proverbs 3:9). After all, He gave you His very best–His only Son.

33. I already tithe out of my income; my assets are my safeguard.

The Old Testament teaches that God's children should tithe on income (from crops grown in the Promised Land), not on net worth. Yet God actually required far more from Old Testament Israelites than ten percent, who were told to give three tithes, totaling more than twenty-three percent of income from the Promised Land–along with other offerings!

In the New Testament, Jesus commanded Christians to love others as He loved and to give as He gave (John 15:12-13; 2 Corinthians 8:9, 13-15; 1 John 3:16-18). In light of these facts, taking into consideration biblical examples (including Acts 4:32-37), and because many Christians today have experienced a time of unprecedented prosperity, the fine distinctions between giving from income or net worth are not particularly useful. In a sense, the distinction between income and net worth is artificial, because God already owns it all and has put it in the hands of His children to see what they will do.

Too many Christians find ways to give God the obligatory "tip" while at the same time hanging on to all they can. But to do this is to miss the point. All your wealth belongs to Him. What is more, He has saved you from judgment by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and He has a permanent inheritance stored up for those who trust in Him.

Instead of trying to create artificial standards for giving from your income and assuming they fulfill God's requirement, just give generously, in keeping with Jesus' clear command to love others as He loved and gave Himself. The best biblical example of this pattern is King David (1 Chronicles 29:3), who recognized God's authority and experienced God's salvation. When the time came to give to the Lord, David emptied his personal accounts as well as his official budget.

34. I already gave at the office.

This statement is an American cliché. In one way, the expression (or excuse) evidences a high point in the American experience, indicating there is a tradition of charitable giving, even at the workplace. On the other hand, this saying has become a shorthand way of saying "no" to giving opportunities.

While it might be an effective maneuver for rebuffing solicitors, "I gave at the office," is certainly not a response you would want to give God. He gave His Son to save Christians from eternal death. How could anyone say to Him, "Sorry, I already gave"?

35. I don’t give to my church because I already give to another ministry.

Give to Christian ministries of all sorts. But a ministry, wonderful as it might be, is not a church. The church is Christ's bride, for whom He gave His life (Ephesians 5:25). Ministries do noble Christian work, but they do not have the biblical authority or range of responsibilities that belong to the institutional church (Matthew 16:17-19).

36. Stewardship is a lot more than money. I give my time and talents by teaching Sunday school and opening my home. I consider that to be my giving.

Stewardship is a lot more than money, but it is never less than money. Good stewardship includes church work and hospitality, but money plays a unique role in Scripture as a diagnostic tool for the human heart–for where you put your money, there will your heart go (Matthew 6:21). If a Christian gives his time and talents to the Lord, but keeps his money to himself, then he or she deprives himself of the opportunity to grow in greater intimacy with God and to experience the full abundance of God's blessing.

37. I've already given more than enough in the form of taxes.

You may pay, or feel that you pay, a lot in taxes. You may even be taxed unjustly, giving you a reason to feel frustrated. But do not confuse paying taxes with giving to God.

Taxes and offerings are very different, with different purposes, motivations, recipients, and standards. You are obligated to pay taxes to the state for the maintenance of civil society (Romans 13:6), but you choose to give to God for the purposes of His kingdom (Luke 12:32-34). Give to God because you have personally experienced His grace (2 Corinthians 8:9).

38. As long as I don’t misuse, waste or steal money, it doesn’t matter whether I give.

The Bible indicates that even good uses of money may distract you from God and cause you to miss opportunities for great joy. Luke 14:16-24 tells of people missing the heavenly banquet because they were too distracted by things that were good: buying a field, examining oxen, attending to family concerns.

Giving generously is an antidote to the distraction of money and possessions. What's more, the Lord commands His people to be generous. Because it's so easy to put one's own comfort ahead of the needs of others, the Bible warns repeatedly that failure to give to those in need shows that you do not have the love of Jesus within you, and that you do not have a relationship with Him (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 John 3:16-18; James 2:14-24; Luke 16:19-31).

There is no legalistic prescription for giving certain amounts. But, when you resist opportunities to give, you demonstrate a lack of faith in the God who generously meets your needs and who expects you (His image-bearer) to mirror His generosity to the world (Luke 12:22-34). "Misuse" and "waste" can include keeping money for yourself when others are in need (Luke 12:16-21, 16:19-31; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 2:14-17).

39. I don’t give to the poor because I already give to my church.

This objection makes a false distinction between giving to God and giving to godly causes. Jesus responded specifically to this concern. To certain people who said that their "Corban" gifts (a gift devoted to God) exempted them from taking care of their needy parents, Jesus explained that you actually please God by taking care of your parents (Mark 7:9-13). On a related theme, Jesus says that gifts given to the needy are gifts given to Him (Matthew 25:40). In other words, once you are changed by the Gospel, you give to the Lord precisely by giving to causes that He values–especially to the church, but also to worthy Christian ministries, needy individuals, and those persons He expects you to honor, such as your parents. By all means, dedicate your offerings to the Lord; but then give them to Him through channels He has designated.

40. I’ve already maxed out my tax deductions for this year. My gifts won’t count until next year, so I’ll give then.

Waiting to give for income tax advantages can be prudent when a large gift is not immediately needed by a beneficiary. But in general, remain committed to being a regular giver of that which God entrusts to you for stewarding, never stopping the flow of grace-inspired generosity.

God's desire for you may be that you go beyond your tax-deductible maximum. In many countries, charitable gifts (especially those for religious purposes) are not tax deductible at all, yet God still expects His people in all countries to be generous with that which He has entrusted to them.

Christian giving responds to need not just financial strategies; need is always present in the world and present in most churches. Give because God has enriched you, not because of where you are in the tax year. God rewards His children for sacrificial giving in ways that far outmatch any benefit received from the government.

41. Small gifts don’t really matter.

Small gifts do matter; many ministries and churches rely almost entirely on gifts under $100. Small amounts of money add up quickly to make a significant impact and to encourage those doing the Lord's work or others in need of funding and resources. When, grateful for their salvation, God's people give in large numbers, even small gifts become highly effective.

Teenagers in particular voice the concern that their small gift won't make a difference, yet when fifty teens each give twenty dollars, a thousand dollars is quickly raised to pay a youth worker's remuneration, buy sound equipment, provide camp scholarships for children in need, or provide medicine for AIDS orphans in Africa. Regularly giving small amounts adds up–twenty dollars each month to an important ministry near your heart produces nearly a thousand dollars after only four years.

Above all else, remember that the Lord sees your giving. Even a cup of cold water shared or a visit in His name to a prison will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42, 25:34-40).

42. No one ever seems to appreciate my gift.

As discouraging as it may be to go unnoticed, there is no purpose in seeking credit for your acts of generosity. Instead, be concerned only about what God thinks. Jesus directly addressed this in the Sermon on the Mount: "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:3-4).

If you give so that others can see us, then you will have already, "received [your] reward in full" (verse 2). But when God sees you giving out of love for Him and for your neighbor, He promises that you will receive a greater reward than what one can even ask or imagine.

As you give, remember that you are not just serving others but you are actually serving Jesus Christ. He is far better at, giving credit where credit is due than any person is. You can always rely on the promise of an eternal reward from the Father for your generosity in the present. The Scriptures promise that God will not forget your generosity.