Why Should I Give the Church Money?

There is a lot of confusion in Christianity over what motivates a person to give money to the churches. What would motivate a person to give money to the churches? There are two specific questions we really have to ask ourselves. The first is: Am I even giving money to the church? We're talking about a passage of Scripture where Paul is motivating Christians to give money—in this case to another church, but definitely to give money to the church. So is that something that I'm even doing? Am I giving money, or are there many excuses for why I'm not?

Which leads to the second question: What is my motivation to give money to the church? You might think that giving money to the church is something your parents do, and maybe that sort of counts for you because you're part of that family—donation by proxy. Or maybe no one in your family gives money to the church. Maybe you think it's supposed to be just those who have an abundance of cash. All of those scenarios might prove that you're just unsure about the whole money thing. That's where 2 Corinthians chapter 9 comes into play. This chapter deals with the motivation for giving money.

As we look at this chapter, we'll answer that second question by asking it this way: Why should I give the church money? We can immediately answer that question with common sense: We give money to the church because, unfortunately, in order for the church to function, it needs money. The church has to have money to exist in our day. We have to pay for buildings, utilities—even if we were in a home church, whoever's home that is has to pay for it, and the church should help supply those needs. There might need to be money to support missionaries. There's often a neglected function of the church: supplying the needs of its own people through benevolence ministry.

Acts 2:45: They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.

All of those demonstrate why the people within a church should give money to the church: because the church needs money. That's a fundamental fact. But as good as that answer is, it doesn't quite hit the core of this passage. What's my personal motivation for giving money? Why should I specifically give money to the church, especially when there are people who have lots of money and it seems less of a burden for them?

In order to answer why I should personally give money, there are three things we need to look at to understand our motivation.

1. Motivated Giving Starts with Confidence

Paul has a specific confidence in the Corinthians, based on certain qualities and characteristics they possess. The big ideas in recent passages in 2 Corinthians address Christian giving in a way that's way more than just about money. There are bigger issues impacting Christian giving than just money. You can't just show up to church and say, "Here, you need to give money." If that's all there was, you'd miss the New Testament understanding of giving.

Paul could have commanded it—he's an apostle who had the power in 1 Corinthians to hand someone over to Satan. But instead, he starts chapter 9 by saying it's superfluous for him to write to you to get you to give money. "Superfluous" means totally pointless. He knows you're already ready. He doesn't have to impose a burden. He recognizes in the Corinthians an exceptional interest and willingness to help that exceeds the normal desire to help others.

It's like exceeding the Good Samaritan in doing good to others. This passage demonstrates a Christ-like attitude of willingness and readiness regardless of circumstances, suffering, imposition, or inconvenience. Imagine the inconvenience of Jesus leaving His heavenly throne to live as a human for our atonement. It's cultivating an attitude before needs arise so that when they do, you respond with graciousness, kindness, and if needed, monetary help.

This attitude doesn't stay contained—it stirs up others. The Corinthians' readiness was described as zeal: intense positive interest in God that demonstrates itself in interest in His people. This zeal stirs up other Christians, provoking them positively.

Hebrews 10:24-25: Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

In the first century, it was show up and stir up, or neglect the congregation. 2 Corinthians 9 shows the attitude: readiness, willingness, and excitement to meet needs, provoking genuine Christians to respond in kind.

2. Motivated Giving Requires Cheerfulness

It's not true that a person is biblically motivated to give if they do so under compulsion. You know what it's like to be told to do something and do it ticked off, complaining under your breath. That's not the giver God wants.

2 Corinthians 9:5: So that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

Paul sent brothers ahead to prepare the gift so it wouldn't be forced or rushed. He wanted time for genuine Christian attitudes. Avoid the attitude: "Fine, here's the money, leave me alone." Paul wants to avoid giving under compulsion altogether.

Whenever you talk about money, you think of those who say, "Give and God will bless you a thousand times more," or heal you, or turn your business around. Those cause compulsion. Paul says it's pointless to write because you already have an eager, willing spirit. Don't give under compulsion—Paul doesn't want that money. The word for "exaction" normally means greed: giving expecting something in return. Paul doesn't want that.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul observes that those who sow in these ways reap in these ways, but it's not commanding to sow bountifully expecting return. It's based on what you've decided in your heart—not reluctantly or under compulsion. It's not a necessity like a 10% tithe. Sowing sparingly and bountifully has nothing to do with the amount given, but everything to do with attitude: zealousness, confidence, willingness, readiness, eagerness, cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 9:11: If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

Galatians 6:7-8: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Mark 4:14: The sower sows the word.

Luke 21:1-4: Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins... Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

The poor widow gave more than the rich because she gave out of poverty, not abundance—based on attitude. Jesus contrasts this with the scribes who devour widows' houses.

Luke 20:45-47: Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes... who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.

God loves a cheerful giver: kind, gracious, generous. Sow abundance of kindness, graciousness, and generosity to reap abundantly.

3. Motivated Giving Results in Abundance

2 Corinthians 9:8-11: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Paul comments on Psalm 112: Grace abounds, making spiritual richness in the spiritually poor. Sow Christ-like attitudes and devotion to God; reap God's grace that grows spiritual maturity and abundance of good deeds. God increases the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched to be generous, producing thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:12-15: For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution... because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.

The ministry supplies needs but more so causes thanksgiving to God. The one giving 50 cents out of devotion contributes more than one giving $50,000 for tax reasons. Genuine Christians see the heart and give thanks. Glory to God comes through submission to the gospel. Give so monetary hindrances don't stop the gospel.

Paul's inexpressible gift is God's surpassing grace. If God gave something indescribable, the one giving out of poverty does something extraordinary. They've understood the value of God's grace in saving them. They value Christ more than their possessions. They were submitted to the gospel more than their wallets.

Why should I give? I give because God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. I give because I received the gospel of Jesus Christ and want to see it grow in my life and others' lives.