From the President: Obedience, not Obligation

By Dr. Chris Seiple on 10 November 2005

As 2006 approaches, those worth their financial salt engage in the annual ritual of year-end, tax-deductible contributions. For those worth their salt and light, however, the nature of giving is something much more than a tax-reduction strategy. These disciples of Christ understand that true giving is holistic, and that it comes from obedience not obligation.

Obligation is a noble word. Yet in the rush of American living, obligation is often reduced to the perfunctory for Christians who donate money. Giving becomes a chore in, not the reason for, life.

While taught to give 10% of their income back to the Lord¹, only 6% of Christians gave one-tenth of their income to churches or para-church ministries in 2004. ² Churches are no better. In 1920, Protestant churches were giving 10% of their budgets to missions. Today that number is at 2%. Sadly, if churches did give 10% to missions, they would provide an additional $156 billion for international engagement by Christians.³

Two more disturbing trends punctuate the Christian “obligation” to give. First, some Christians are so obliged about how their money is spent that they become Pharisees of quantification, seeking to document each and every tangible manifestation of their money. These Christians write faith, and the blessing of giving, out of the equation that they have so carefully built. There is no room for God in their quarterly reports because, in the name of accountability and strategy, they have factored for every variable — except Him.

Many Christians give because they feel that it is a requirement, something they are obliged to “check-off” from the monthly to-do list. They pay — and hopefully pray over — the recipient of their financial donation. But the act of giving becomes a tactical transaction, not a strategic transformation. Because they do not (want to?) holistically understand giving, these Christians ultimately give to feel good about themselves. They miss the opportunity to understand the mutual and sustainable transformation — that is, the blessing — that was intended between the giver and receiver.⁴

So how do we rediscover giving in its fullest, richest, definition? There are three characteristics to giving that every follower of Christ should keep in mind.

First, giving is both an intrinsic part of our human condition, as well as a command given to us. We often forget that God is the original gift-giver. He gave us life. We also forget that we were made in the image of our gift-giving God. It is a part of our nature to want to give of ourselves, of our work. Just as God gave us life through His work, our work is not for ourselves, but serves a higher purpose. Through our work and resulting capabilities we return honor to Him by giving to those around us. “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28).

He also gave us the opportunity to choose His son. Both the gifts of life and of redemption were freely given; both are gifts we could never earn on our own. Thus, we should have no problem with giving freely of ourselves as Jesus commands: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). If Jesus is not just our savior but first and foremost our king, then it is our great joy to ask what He would have us give, not question why we should give.

Second, giving is in our naked self-interest. Not only are you a better person for giving, you will be rewarded as a result. Jesus says: “Give and it will be given to you…for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). The Psalms tell us that “Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely” (112:5). Proverbs makes clear that “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (11:24-25); and, more practically, that “a gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great” (18:16). Paul concludes his donor thank you letter to the church in Philippi by unambiguously stating that the money given to him will be “credited to your account… they are a fragrant offering…and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:17).

Third, giving is so much more than money. Certainly, money enables. But it is no more important a gift than, for example, the gifts to discern, plan, and listen. Paul reminds us that we “will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:11). We were made as bodies with different gifts, complementing each other to serve together as the body of Christ for this world. What matters is that we give what we are called to give; sometimes it is money, sometimes it might be our life.

We were born to give! We should give what God calls us to give — be it wisdom, wealth, work, or wit — not out of financial or cultural obligation but out of the joy of obedience. We give because He commands His creation to do so. We give to give back to Him who created us in His image, who gave us life, who gave us the opportunity to follow His son. In so doing, we should not ask why we give but what we can give, every day. If we give ourselves “first to the Lord” then there will never be any doubt that our giving will also be in “keeping with God’s will” (2 Corinthians 8:5).

Last updated 15 September 2008