G. Campbell Morgan said, “Some people rob God when they give only a tenth, and others have no business to give even as much as that.” The Bible commands us to give (Lk 6:38). The amount we give is to be based on the degree to which the Lord has prospered us (1 Cor 16:2). C. S. Lewis gave away about two-thirds of his income – and he was dissatisfied that he wasn’t giving more.
Giving, like forgiving others, sets us free and makes us rich (Mt 6:19-20). It should be done with wisdom and promptness once we believe we are to give. Concerning the need for wisdom in giving, Andrew Carnegie said, “Those who would administer [their surplus wealth] wisely must be wise, for one of the serious obstacles to the improvement of our race is indiscriminate charity” that supports activity that should not be supported. As for the need to give promptly, Guthrie reminds us, “It is not safe to leave a generous feeling to the cooling influences of a cold world” (2 Cor 8:10-11). Our motives for giving also matter (Prov 16:2).
Furthermore, let us be creative in our giving. For example, a man wanted to hire Abraham Lincoln and give him a $10 attorney fee to collect $2.50 from a man who had greatly irritated him by not paying his bill. Lincoln tried to dissuade the man from pursuing the matter but then took the case when the man persisted. Lincoln then went to the defendant and offered to give him half of his fee if he would agree to pay his client the $2.50 he owed him. Lincoln was $5 richer, the defendant paid his bill and was $2.50 richer, and the client, though out $7.50, had the satisfaction of winning a quick, easy case and getting the irritating man to pay up.
Let’s have our giving be in line with God’s will about who, when, why, where, what, and how.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.