Let’s talk about the ‘F’ word…

Finances. I mean finances.

I realize that talking with Christians about money and tithing can be a controversial and emotive issue, but it’s always been intriguing to me to observe that many Christians seem to be amongst some of the most tight-fisted people when it comes to finances. They will have heated arguments over whether we should tithe or not; or how much it should be, or whether we should tithe on the before-tax or after-tax amount. The question of where to tithe doesn’t really seem to come up, because it’s pretty much assumed it will be to the church rather than just being set aside for distribution as God individually directs us. Many will religiously give to a church and feel self-righteously satisfied as though they have done their bit and can wipe their hands of any further responsibility, whilst at the same time overlooking the pressing needs of individuals within their own family or fellowship community.

Here in Australia, where we are privileged to have an excellent social welfare system, there is a tendency to just assume that anyone in financial need will be taken care of by Centrelink – as though that somehow alleviates our own responsibility to give, or to help provide for those who are struggling financially. We might talk about charity and ‘the poor’ amongst ourselves, but how often are they discussed more as an abstract concept, rather than as a real-life, in your face practical reality? Isn’t there a tendency to mentally distance ourselves from that reality when we ourselves feel financially secure? Might we be patting ourselves on the back for giving to the church, or making extra donations for building funds? Or congratulating ourselves for our giving as though we’ve done something extraordinary, when in fact we are meant to give simply because we can? Everyone likes to receive a blessing (read: financial blessing), but so many times I have observed that those enjoying receiving the blessings don’t often consider directly being the source of financial blessing to others themselves.

If we are willing to look beyond our current perspective, we might begin to look around for opportunities to be the conduit through whom the needs of others are met financially. That doesn’t necessarily mean taking on a long term financial burden (unless God specifically asks it of us), but it may just be temporary, or a one-off amount. Pay someone’s bill when they’re strapped for cash. Help them out financially when there are unexpected repairs needed. Shout someone a night out with their husband or wife when they’ve been going through a tough time. Pay for a babysitter if you don’t want to do it yourself. If we are in a position where our own finances genuinely won’t stretch to doing such things, then perhaps we could buy a little extra food when we shop to make a meal for someone that’s ill or experiencing a family emergency. And let’s not kid ourselves into thinking we’ve been generous if we’ve taken someone out for coffee or lunch, because that was benefiting us just as much as it was them 🙂

My view is that we stop thinking that any money we have is ours. It is God that gives us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), and that isn’t just so we can line our own nest or tend only to our own needs. We are meant to be stewards of any money we have, not owners. It is all essentially God’s money, and I think we should be thankful that he is gracious enough to let us keep most of it. The way I see it, because He is the One that sees to it that we have any money at all, He is also the one that has the right to determine how it is spent, particularly when it is the portion being given back to Him. I also think that any portion we set aside to give back to God shouldn’t just be blindly handed over to a church so we can feel good about ourselves. Giving to the church is fine because they have expenses to meet too, but I would suggest the best way forward is to simply stay open to the prompting of the Spirit of God; to concern ourselves more about obeying Him, and less about getting, or holding onto any money we have. As we do that, we can trust that our own needs will be met.

I also think we need to be mindful of not expecting God to meet the needs of others without considering that we may be the means through which he directly chooses to do so. And although everyone enjoys receiving a blessing, wouldn’t it be better to ask God to show us how we can be the source of blessing to others? Because what a blessing and privilege it is, and what joy there is to be found in partnering with God in this way!

P.S: Obviously, the topic of finances in relation to our faith is far more involved than what I’ve written about today. It hasn’t been my intention to upset or condemn anyone. And I’m not saying that God has a problem with someone having lots of money or with giving to the church. I just think that God should matter more to us than any money we have. Because when God matters the most to us, then tending financially to the needs of those He loves is a pleasure, not an obligation.