J.D. Greear has written a post called The Generosity MATRIX that contains the best stuff I have read on Christian giving to date. The best.
Giving is something I’ve discussed a fair amount with my close friends, fellow church members and my college mentor. What does God expect of the Christian in this area? 10%? More (Sermon on the Mount principle/cheerful giver principle).
For the record, I think 10% is a good starting point for believers, based on Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-24). I also think that 10% should come from one’s gross income, not net income, based on the principle of Prov. 3:9-10, giving of our firstfruits. But these issues are not at the heart of Christian giving.
At the heart of Christian giving is the question: what does it mean to be a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:6-7)? To give generously?
Key questions that stem from this central question include:
- Is it good or bad for Christians to save money (IRA, etc.)?
- Is it okay for Christians to have some nice material things?
- Should Christians not eat steak, sushi, etc. so that those without food can eat?
Greear’s post centers on the central question I listed above and addresses all the stemming questions I listed, plus several others.
Greear says he has thought a lot about this issue over the last few months and it shows in this excellent, helpful article.
Here are the two extremes he gives that Christians fall into:
1. The first extreme is those who teach that God wants you, religiously (pun intended), to simply give 10%, and after that you can do whatever you want with your money.
2. The second extreme is those who imply, whether intentionally or not, that whatever you give, you should be giving more.
Here are the six principles of his Generosity MATRIX, which he says must be applied in reliance on the Holy Spirit:
1. It is the joyful duty of those who have to share with those who have not.
2. We live with radical generosity to others in response to Jesus’ radical generosity to us.
3. The Holy Spirit must guide us as to which sacrifices we are to make.
4. God provides for His people richly and delights in our enjoyment of His material gifts.
5. Don’ttrust in riches and don’tdefine your life by the abundance of your possessions.
6. Wealth building is OK.
Greear has great balancing statements for principles 4. and 6. while also providing a biblical basis for those points.
In his conclusion, Greear notes that those who are generous givers will have a lifestyle that is significantly less than others who make equivalent salary. Here is his parenthetical note on that front:
(Do note this: when you consider that the average American gives less thant 1% away and most most are substantially in debt, if you are going to give with radical generosity and you are going to not go into debt and you are going to save, your lifestyle will look significantly different than your friends who make an equivalent wage.)
And here is the end of his conclusion:
My wife I have been asking God to help us live on less, trust Him more, love others more, and to give more. For now, we are committed to giving, at minimum, somewhere around double the percentage we we were giving when we got married, and hope to/plan to increase more in the future. We really are overwhelmed with what God has done for us, specifically in the radical generosity of the cross. We live in a world where there are poor and people are dying, and it is wrong to go on living as if that weren’t true. So, we want somewhat of a wartime mentality and to live simply and give abundantly. We try to live simply, driving, wearing and living in much less than we “could.”
At the same time, we are committed to enjoying the provision and goodness of God, realizing that it comes from His hand as a gift of a loving Father to His children, and one He wants us to enjoy. We know He delights when we are thankful and enjoy the things He has given us. We glorify Him by doing so.
Our standard is not yours. Some will find it woefully inadequate; others will find it beyond reach. My encouragement is for you to work through the 6 matrix principles yourself and let the Holy Spirit guide you to radical, joyful generosity and enjoyment of life.