Day 2
Bruce Miller, author
This week, we are reprinting Chapter 3 of Bruce Miller’s book, Giving: Three Questions. We’re answering the question, “How much should you give?”
We want our giving to be generous and honoring to God. What does God’s Word actually tell us about how much you should give?
In spite of our varying financial circumstances, there are three biblical principles that can guide each one of us in deciding how much to give. To keep it simple, I call it “3P Giving.” Each P stands for a guiding biblical principle. Your first P is Planned.
Planned
Generous giving is not haphazard, but prayerfully planned. On Sunday morning, you should not be determining how much you will give. That should have been determined ahead of time. Paul says,
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The word “decided” in Greek, proērētai, means to set aside beforehand, to decide in advance. Listen to Paul’s direction to the Christians in Corinth:
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money (1 Corinthians 16:1).
You cannot set aside a sum of money without planning in advance.
As you plan your giving, you should make giving your first consideration before other allocations. This is the firstfruits principle. Proverbs says:
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:9–10).
In an agrarian economy, the firstfruits were literally the first of the crops of olives, wheat or whatever they harvested. It would also be the best. If they raised sheep, it would be the first and best of their lambs. We are to give our first and best to the Lord.
When we delay giving, we often forget to give, or the money gets used for something else. Some people add up all their financial obligations and then give on what is left. Or you may just look at what’s left at the end of the month.
The better way is to plan it off the top. Take your income, calculate 10 percent or more and give it first, then allocate the rest to everything else. Plan to give to God first. You will find that your 90 percent goes further than your 100 percent when you honor God with your “firstfruits” by giving him the first 10 percent or more.
So how do you practically plan your giving? Some of you are more detailed planners with your money and some are more free spirits. In any case, you need to prayerfully determine your giving in advance. Take time to calculate your income, then set a percentage to give. My wife, Tamara, and I use Mint.com for our personal budgeting. If you are not sure where to start, I recommend 10 percent. If you can’t get there all at once, make 10 percent your goal and start somewhere above zero. Start with 1 percent.
In general, I recommend giving at the same frequency you are paid or receive income. If you are paid weekly, give weekly. I’m paid a bi-monthly paycheck on the 10th and 25th, so my wife and I have set up our online giving in that rhythm.
If you are married, your giving is more complicated because you need to agree. If you are single, give all you want. That’s one of the benefits of being single!
Husbands and wives rarely agree at the start. A conversation about giving can be a great way to grow your marriage with a spiritual conversation. I encourage you to set aside unhurried time, pray, then listen deeply to each other. Look at the financial facts for your family, pray for unity and then come to agreement. In general, I would lean toward the more generous spouse. That’s what Tamara and I try to do with our giving decisions. The first P in 3P Giving is Planned. The second P is Proportionate.
We’ll talk about proportionate giving tomorrow.
Reflect
- How would you describe the “firstfruits” principle to someone else?
- How can you better plan your giving?