Doing what’s right is a struggle for us in most areas of life. Because following God’s commandments goes against our fallen, sinful nature, our attempts to do it right can often take the form of tasks we perform. We do so to prove to God, or perhaps more to ourselves, that we are Christ-like, that we’re doing what’s right.

Giving is one of those ways that we try to prove we are good and committed to God. I happen to think giving is much more telling of this reality of trying to do right. When we give, we have proof that we’ve done something right, a good act. It’s not so clear when it comes to prayer, worship, or other spiritual disciplines because they are not as tangible.

Keeping a timer when reading the Bible to prove to God that we are in the Word enough feels wrong. The same goes for prayer. We wouldn’t measure our faithfulness to God by how many minutes or hours we spend in prayer, but we tend to do so when giving money.

Giving is more tangible because it is a specific amount, so it can easily feel that we are more committed or more spiritual when we give more. After all, doesn’t it take more faith to give $10,000 than to give $100?

## Giving that God accepts

King David is a primary example of a generous giver in the Bible. It is estimated that David gave billions of dollars worth of gold and other materials for building the temple in Jerusalem. __Not only did he give extravagantly to God, but he also gave in a way that God accepts.__

First, it’s worth pondering the question, __How can anyone really give something of value to God?__ I mean, doesn’t God own everything? Isn’t He totally self-sufficient, in need of nothing? How could a person give anything to God when he has everything?

__Indeed, God doesn’t *need* anything.__ He is the One who spoke the universe into existence, including creating every living thing on the earth. Materially, God has no need that he cannot provide for himself. __It is not material things that God needs; it is relationships.__

God desires relationships as much as we humans do, and it is in this truth, giving needs to be understood. This is what King David knew and what led him to his response recorded in Psalm 51. 


![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b28b3e945776e86f5212567/1625675271730-3UDZ2AS17AR2Q2VKPZ24/blog+quote+smg-7.png?format=750w)


Psalm 51 is David’s response after being confronted by the prophet Nathan of his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. Although David sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, he knew his sin was ultimately against God, a sin born out of covetousness.

__In his confession, David reveals something about God that we must understand because it will affect all our giving.__ He says, *“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.”* (Ps. 51:16) __In his sinful state, David knew God would not accept any gift, no matter how extravagant.__ God wasn’t interested in a material or performance response from David.

*“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”* (Ps. 51:17). What God was looking for and what David gave to God was a repentant heart and a confession of his wrong. This is the foundation from which we must make every act, whether prayer, worship, or giving.

__It is easy to be misled into believing that by “giving” to God, you will be accepted by and blessed by God.__ And it’s not that God doesn’t accept or bless people because of their generosity; it just can’t be instead of a repentant and broken spirit. 

You can give your time, service, or money, but if it’s just a task you perform, it will be of no benefit to you. __God will not honor your gifts when your heart is far from Him.__ More importantly, you will miss out on the joy of living in perfect communion with God, praising Him, teaching others about Him, and giving to Him.

__GOD’S CONFESSION ABOUT DAVID THAT HE WAS A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART SHOULD BE A COMFORT TO US ALL.__

 If someone who was an adulterer and a murderer can be forgiven, cleansed, and accepted by God, so will we. When our spirits are broken with the sin that entangles us, and we confess our iniquity, God offers his grace and forgiveness so that all of our giving will be accepted and pleasing to God.

For Further Reading:

[The Marks of a Christian Investor](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2021/6/28/the-marks-of-a-christian-investor) 
[The Greatest Hindrance in Our Faith, According to Jesus](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2021/6/21/the-greatest-hindrance-in-our-faith) 
[What does the Bible say about Saving](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2021/6/11/what-does-the-bible-say-about-saving) 
[Review: Charting Your Legacy by Compass](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2021/5/31/review-charting-your-legacy-small-group-study) 
[The Seldom Thought of Reason for Not Cosigning](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2021/5/17/the-seldom-thought-of-reason-for-not-cosigning) 
. . . 

If you're a pastor or spiritual leader, consider joining our CSN community. We are a group of passionate Christ-followers with a burden to teach and equip God's people with God's financial principles so they can live purpose-filled and generous lives. [Sign up for our mailing list](https://mailchi.mp/christianstewardshipnetwork.com/signup) to get new content from CSN  directly to your inbox!

We teach church leaders the biblical perspective on finances.

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It is easy to be misled into believing that by “giving” to God, you will be accepted by and blessed by God.

Giving that God Accepts

__My money story is fairly uneventful.__ 

Sure, I’ve made some mistakes. But there wasn’t a time when I made really bad money decisions that led me to financial ruin, only to rebound in a remarkable way through good money decisions.

My money story just isn’t that exciting.

In my money story, I am more of the tortoise, not the hare.

And I am grateful for it.

Through my experience I have learned that sound, biblical money habit can really lead to financial health.

And there are other ordinaries out there just like me. Their story may not be extraordinary but their habits are.

__What are some of these extraordinary habits of ordinary, yet financially healthy, people? Let me give you six:__

1. They give every time they get. God designed us to be givers. Generosity is essential to managing your money in a way that aligns with the Bible. When we give, greed is weakened. And greed can lead us to make all types of poor financial decisions. Ordinary, yet financially healthy, people give every time they get.
2. They save every time they get. Many of them do it automatically. They have a portion of their paycheck go toward retirement and their emergency savings. How much should you set aside? Work to set aside 15% of your paycheck for retirement and have 3 to 6 months in livings expenses set aside for an emergency. Ordinary, yet financially health people, save every time they get.
3. They pay down debt every time they get. First, they try to avoid debt, especially credit card debt. Second, if they do have debt, they work hard to pay it off. Ordinary, yet financially health, people know that keeping debt balances is very costly.
4. They never spend all that they get. They could spend every last dime of their paycheck, but they don’t. They maintain a budget so that they do not spend more than they make. Living below your means is key to saving for now and later. These ordinary, yet financially healthy, people do not see their paycheck as something to be spent in its entirety, but as a resource to manage well for the present and the future.
5. They keep their expectations low. At least when it comes to lifestyle expectations. Unrealistic lifestyle expectations causes people to spend more than they should and be more dissatisfied with what they have. Ordinary, yet financially healthy, people keep expectations low. This causes them to spend less and enjoy what they do have more.
6. They start asap. I started saving for retirement at age 17. And I wish I had started a couple of years earlier, as soon as I got my first part-time job. Ordinary, yet financially healthy, people understand the value of time. They know that there is no better time to start working on their financial picture than now. 

I love to hear great financial turnaround stories. 

__But what do I love more?__

Stories that don’t require a turnaround, stories that demonstrate how implementing just a few habits can lead to financial health.

Sure, they are filled with less heartbreak, but I am okay with that. And I bet, at least in your own life, you are as well.

You were meant for more. Your money was meant for more. You and your money are meant for an exciting, adventurous, and satisfying purpose. You were designed to live and give generously. And deep inside you know this and want this.

Art Rainer

Generosity

6 Extraordinary Habits of Ordinary, Yet Financially Healthy, People

It’s a common feeling for any believers to feel “called” to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s as if God is constantly looking for donors to fund his mission; he’s got a goal set and those buckets keep sloshing around dimes and nickels. Pair that with the trend in many churches to do capital campaigns where Pastors reveal a “number” God gave them, and if we’re not careful, __it can feel like we’re doing God a favor__ by giving generously. 

__I assure you, *God needs nothing from us* to advance his kingdom. __

I assure you that if the universe is held together by his breath, all the riches in the world won’t make a dent in his plans… *I think he’s got it*. 

## The Widow’s Gift

Mark 12:41-44 is an interesting passage where Jesus sits and watches people as they were dropping their money into the temple treasury. It says: 

*“Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning His disciples, He said to them, “I assure you: This poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the temple treasury. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed — all she had to live on.””* Mark 12:41-44 HCSB

Though there were many people there, and many who were rich, the woman deserving recognition was the one who gave the smallest gift. __This widow, though she was poverty-stricken and familiar with grief - still chose to put God as her priority.__ Her commitment and devotion extended beyond her circumstances. 

Believers today struggle with being devoted to God in all circumstances. When things are going well and life is good, it’s easy to love God and almost feel entitled to his blessings. Perhaps we think of God as an insurance policy: *“sign up for Jesus to be your savior so that he will cover all the hardships that life may bring!”*  Then when life hits hard, we recoil from him, go as far as to blame him for not intervening (I speak from experience here). Maybe we even grit our teeth when the lyrics to worship don’t line up with our “reality.” Our circumstances. Our heart becomes hard when we don’t get answers. 

__There is something commendable not only about the widow’s contribution but her resolution to bless God even when it cost her everything.__ It bears a similar resemblance to the unwavering joy in the Lord that Paul shared as he gave his life to the mission of spreading the gospel, even as it led him from beating to beating, cell to cell, and to his eventual execution.  In both cases, the financial cost wasn’t the focus as much as the commitment and desire to place God as their first priority. As Jesus said, we must count the cost of following Him (Luke 14:28). These two examples were determined to make the payments.  

## What about the other gifts?

Were the other gifts dropped in the temple treasury of less importance than the widow’s gift? I don’t believe so. Many of us probably aren’t giving out of intense poverty. We probably have money to spare. Giving out of our surplus isn’t a sin; however, if we aren’t careful, we can lose sight of God as our provider and our devotion can falter. 


![](https://www.facebook.com/JesusDaily/photos/10161053498452355)


__The greatest gift we can give to God is a heart completely devoted to Him. Whether that is expressed through a financial gift, a life sacrificed for the work of the gospel, or any other form, it’s all he wants.__

Like the widow, what is the greatest gift that we can give Him and the world?

What the Widow’s Gift Says about Giving

__It’s summer, and you’re probably out making memories with your family. While you’re at the beach, on the road, by the lake, or enjoying family by the pool, you can be learning more about how generosity really is the good life.__

No matter where you’ve decided to relax this summer, we have resources in our Generosity Library that you can take with you as you travel and share with friends and family. [Browse through all of the resources](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/), or check out the recommendations below.
### 
### On your road trip (listen)

Model and fashion blogger, [Lauren Scruggs Kennedy](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-lauren-scruggs-kennedy-finds-beauty-in-brokenness), experienced a devastating accident just as her career was taking off. Listen to Lauren tell the story of how her trauma has led her to generosity and how she has discovered that brokenness can be beautiful, despite the pain.

[Drew Formsma](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-everyday-generosity-drew-formsma-on-the-kindness-podcast) is still a teen, but he’s wise beyond his years when it comes to giving. The fourth generation in a family of givers, Drew has been at this his whole life. If you have teens, they will love listening to Drew’s stories and learning what he says it takes to live a generous life at any age.

Would you like to understand how giving can transform a giver’s life? Listen and learn [10 biblical principles of generosity](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-biblical-generosity-how-its-different-from-philanthropy) that NCF’s Jamie Kuiper says are all about a story of transformation that God wants to work out in the life of everyone who gives.

### On the plane (watch)

Learn about[ a couple who found generosity by simply putting Jesus first](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-cultivating-a-generous-family). Or watch [Kitti from Refuge Coffee ](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-how-kitti-murray-fosters-community-through-coffee)tell the story of how her husband’s conviction about being with the marginalized people God’s Word says he truly loves blossomed into a ministry, a business, and a lot of fun in a unique community just outside Atlanta.

Or if you want to help your family establish a generous mindset, watch the Bible Project’s creative teaching video: [the story of God as a generous host](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-generosity).
### 
### At the beach (read)

There are so many good books in our Generosity Library, it’s difficult to choose just a few. But here is a great reading list for the beach:
- Family: *[Raised Healthy, Wealthy & Wise: Lessons from Successful and Grounded Inheritors on How They Got That Way](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-raised-healthy-wealthy-wise-lessons-from-successful-and-grounded-inheritors-on-how-they-got-that-way)*, by Coventry Edwards-Pitt
- Biblical: *[Giving is the Good Lif*e: *The Unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-giving-is-the-good-life-the-unexpected-path-to-purpose-and-joy),* by Randy Alcorn
- Millennial: *[God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-god-and-money-how-we-discovered-true-riches-at-harvard-business-school-2)*
- Daily Devotional: *[Secrets to the Generous Life: Reflections to Awaken the Spirit](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-secrets-of-the-generous-life-reflections-to-awaken-the-spirit-and-enrich-soul-generous-giving),* by Gordon MacDonald
### 
### With your family anywhere (do)

Study after study has shown the importance of sharing generosity within families and proven that children of generous parents grow into generous adults. If you’re a parent (or grandparent), find the age of the kids in your family, and [try some of these ideas](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-research-backed-ways-to-share-generosity-with-your-family) for encouraging their hearts.
Finally, we issued a challenge last week: See how many of our *[19 ways to be generous this summer](https://www.ncfgiving.com/library/#resource-19-ways-to-be-generous-this-summer) *you can do with your family, and then report back to us which number you did and how it went when you tried it. Try this while you’re on vacation, and let us know what happens.
We hope you have the most generous summer ever, and that you have a blast with your friends and family. We can’t wait to hear what you experienced!
*Photo: [iStock](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/family-playing-beach-1108147526)*

NCF helps people create a giving strategy based on biblical principles, so they can be wise stewards of all they have and experience the joy of greater generosity.

National Christian Foundation

Passions

While you're enjoying Summer activities,  you can be learning more about how generosity really is the good life.

Come back from the beach more generous this summer

Jesus said you can't serve both God and money. If you're struggling with where your treasure is, Rob West has an idea to free you from money's grip.

Biblical Wisdom For Your Financial Journey

MoneyWise

The MoneyWise Minute is a great way to be reminded of God's financial principles with actionable items you can easily apply to your daily life.

MoneyWise Minute

Jesus said you can't serve both God and money. If you're struggling with where your treasure is, Rob West has an idea to free you from money's grip.

The Treasure of Giving

If you’re familiar with the treasure principle, you know it means that when your money is flowing toward the Kingdom your heart will follow. It’s a timeless financial principle. As we break the control that money has over us, God is free to use money in our lives more fully for His purposes. Financial teacher and author Ron Blue is here to tell us how to do that. 
<ul><li>How are we supposed to hold money?</li><li>Jesus talks about this in the Sermon on the Mount, but sometimes people confuse his words, don’t they?</li><li>Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that we can’t have it both ways, right?</li><li>What’s a good passage to meditate on as we pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance on giving?</li></ul> Next, Rob answers these questions at 800-525-7000 or via email at Questions@MoneyWiseLive.org: 
<ul><li>Should you take a $475,000 pension lump sum and invest it in a mutual fund, annuitize it, or keep in invested in the current deferred comp account, if you are planning to retire soon?</li><li>If you received a letter from a dealership asking you to trade in your car which you have almost finished paying off, should you take their offer if it means you'll have continued car payments?</li><li>Is there any way to take a pension buyout without a big tax hit if you intend to use it to buy a more expensive home?</li><li>Will a student loan you have co-signed with your grandchild impact your ability to get a mortgage for a new home?</li><li>What happens to your credit if you have store credit cards that you don't use?</li><li>If you could scrape together enough savings to pay off your home but that would reduce your emergency fund to two months of reserves, should you do that?</li><li>What is credit amnesty?</li><li>How can you ask an electric company to stop soliciting you for your business?</li><li>What is a fair and Biblical way to approach helping your adult children financially if you and your husband are in your 60s?</li></ul>Be sure to check out the rest of MoneyWise.org to connect with a MoneyWise Coach or access our books and our many free helpful resources. You can also find us on Facebook (MoneyWise Media) and join the conversation. Thanks for your prayerful and financial support that helps keep MoneyWise on the air. And if you'd like to help, just click the Donate tab at the top of the page.

Listen to MoneyWise Live each weekday at 4pm EST on Moody Radio.

MoneyWise Live

The treasure principle means that when your money is flowing toward the Kingdom your heart will follow.  As we break the control that money has over us, God is free to use money in our lives more fully for His purposes. Ron Blue is here to tell us how.

Giving Breaks the Power of Money With Ron Blue

MoneyWise is a daily radio ministry of MoneyWise Media. Hosted by Rob West and Steve Moore, the program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

MoneyWise with Rob West

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So where do we put our treasure? Christians are to be generous toward God’s Kingdom. But deciding exactly where and how to do that can be a challenge. Tim MacDonald with the National Christian Foundation joins us to talk about how we can do that.
<ul><li>Tim MacDonald is vice president of NCF’s new southwest office based in Phoenix, AZ. The office is new, but Tim isn’t. He has many years’ experience helping God’s people create giving strategies in a way that allows them to not only maximize their resources, but also to discover their giving passions.</li><li>Believers should give strategically and can learn how to be effective at their giving through the course of their Christian walk. People have a financial strategy but often not a giving strategy.</li><li>You can have the freedom to say “no” to certain organizations asking for funds. So write down your big giving dreams. What would it look like if you were to be able to accomplish what you feel that God’s putting on your heart?</li><li>Visit Tim’s ministry’s website to download a tool that helps people with what causes they resonate. What are you giving passions? At <a href="http://NCFGiving.com/causes">NCFGiving.com/causes</a>
is a number of grant-making causes you can use your giving fund to grant you. NCF will take the time to sit down with you and talk through what passions you have. Learn to clarify your giving strategy. Joy can enter your giving!</li></ul>On this program we also answer this question:
<ul><li>I have 2 years until I retire. I’m wondering where I should concentrate money. Should I focus on paying off my home or on retirement savings?</li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to <a href="mailto:questions@moneywise.org">Questions@MoneyWise.org</a>. Also, visit our website at <a href="http://moneywise.org/">MoneyWise.org</a>
where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the free MoneyWise app. Like and Follow us on Facebook at MoneyWise Media
for videos and the very latest discussion! Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab on our website or in our app.

Where do we put our treasure? Christians are to be generous toward God’s Kingdom but deciding exactly where and how to do that can be a challenge. Tim MacDonald with the National Christian Foundation joins us to talk about how we can do that.

Discover Your Giving Passions With Tim MacDonald

When is it appropriate to help your adult children buy a home?

The Ron Blue Institute seeks to be a thought leader with great influence committed to changing the way Christians think, act, and communicate about financial stewardship, empowering the church, and changing the world.

Ron Blue Institute

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Should I Help My Adult Children Buy a Home?

Tim Keller: The Biblical Principle of Scattering and Gathering

How can this biblical principle translate into extravagant generosity?

We exist to spread the message of biblical generosity in order to grow generous givers especially among those entrusted with much.

Generous Giving

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How can this biblical principle translate into extravagant generosity?

Tim Keller: The Biblical Principle of Scattering and Gathering

How much should I give with an inconsistent income?

If you're household income is inconsistent, Ron Blue offers some advice to help

As Christians, is there a specific amount that we should give? Ron Blue answers this question

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