The Most Common Misconceptions About Money and Giving in the Bible

I've been surprised uh when I talk about I've been surprised uh when I talk about giving with my own congregation how giving with my own congregation how giving with my own congregation how refreshing very simple truths seem to refreshing very simple truths seem to refreshing very simple truths seem to be. Which reminds me of uh how often we be. Which reminds me of uh how often we be. Which reminds me of uh how often we um abuse the topic in evangelicalism um abuse the topic in evangelicalism um abuse the topic in evangelicalism and how many uh bad ideas people come and how many uh bad ideas people come and how many uh bad ideas people come into my church with about giving. Uh how into my church with about giving. Uh how into my church with about giving. Uh how much baggage they come into the church much baggage they come into the church much baggage they come into the church with about giving. And so just saying with about giving. And so just saying with about giving. And so just saying very simple things that come right out very simple things that come right out very simple things that come right out of scripture uh seems more revolutionary of scripture uh seems more revolutionary of scripture uh seems more revolutionary than it should be. Uh and so that's um I than it should be. Uh and so that's um I than it should be. Uh and so that's um I think one of the reasons I've I've think one of the reasons I've I've think one of the reasons I've I've gotten more interested in the topic is gotten more interested in the topic is gotten more interested in the topic is just wanting to make sure the scripture just wanting to make sure the scripture just wanting to make sure the scripture speaks clearly because what it gives us speaks clearly because what it gives us speaks clearly because what it gives us is uh a vision of giving as a delight is uh a vision of giving as a delight is uh a vision of giving as a delight and a joy and an opportunity. and a joy and an opportunity. and a joy and an opportunity. >> And let me let me amen that. And I think >> And let me let me amen that. And I think >> And let me let me amen that. And I think pastors pastors pastors have to take on a little bit of the role have to take on a little bit of the role have to take on a little bit of the role that fathers would have taken on in my that fathers would have taken on in my that fathers would have taken on in my generation. I mean, you guys are of a generation. I mean, you guys are of a generation. I mean, you guys are of a generation different from mine. And uh generation different from mine. And uh generation different from mine. And uh my dad was the one that talked to me my dad was the one that talked to me my dad was the one that talked to me about giving to the church. And uh you about giving to the church. And uh you about giving to the church. And uh you just don't have a lot of that in the just don't have a lot of that in the just don't have a lot of that in the younger generations that you are younger generations that you are younger generations that you are ministering to. I don't know how it was ministering to. I don't know how it was ministering to. I don't know how it was when you were growing up, but you know, when you were growing up, but you know, when you were growing up, but you know, I had I had elders I remember who talked I had I had elders I remember who talked I had I had elders I remember who talked to their own children and of the to their own children and of the to their own children and of the children of the church about why it was children of the church about why it was children of the church about why it was important to give and then it was like important to give and then it was like important to give and then it was like that dropped off the map like at the end

that dropped off the map like at the end that dropped off the map like at the end of the 70s and um and so I I do think of the 70s and um and so I I do think of the 70s and um and so I I do think it's important and I in a and there's it's important and I in a and there's it's important and I in a and there's such bad teaching out there on giving as such bad teaching out there on giving as such bad teaching out there on giving as well and a lot of people are reacting to well and a lot of people are reacting to well and a lot of people are reacting to the bad teaching. So, they need good the bad teaching. So, they need good the bad teaching. So, they need good Bible teaching on it. Bible teaching on it. Bible teaching on it. >> Yeah. Not all of us have the privilege >> Yeah. Not all of us have the privilege >> Yeah. Not all of us have the privilege of being fathered by a sixth generation of being fathered by a sixth generation of being fathered by a sixth generation Presbyterian minister. [laughter] Presbyterian minister. [laughter] Presbyterian minister. [laughter] >> What a blessing. >> What a blessing. >> What a blessing. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh let let's talk first a little more >> Uh let let's talk first a little more >> Uh let let's talk first a little more about giving. So Jamie, you mentioned about giving. So Jamie, you mentioned about giving. So Jamie, you mentioned that you've found as you've addressed that you've found as you've addressed that you've found as you've addressed this topic, um it's been helpful for this topic, um it's been helpful for this topic, um it's been helpful for church members. It's not just this guilt church members. It's not just this guilt church members. It's not just this guilt inducing inducing inducing >> subject. It's something that can >> subject. It's something that can >> subject. It's something that can actually foster uh great joy and it can actually foster uh great joy and it can actually foster uh great joy and it can strengthen muscles of faith. So, how strengthen muscles of faith. So, how strengthen muscles of faith. So, how broadly speaking, and we'll get more broadly speaking, and we'll get more broadly speaking, and we'll get more into specifics in a moment, but broadly into specifics in a moment, but broadly into specifics in a moment, but broadly speaking, how can pastors uh teach about speaking, how can pastors uh teach about speaking, how can pastors uh teach about giving in a way that's biblically giving in a way that's biblically giving in a way that's biblically faithful and pastorally wise? And maybe faithful and pastorally wise? And maybe faithful and pastorally wise? And maybe we just start by saying, what do you we just start by saying, what do you we just start by saying, what do you think are some of the biggest think are some of the biggest think are some of the biggest misunderstandings out there that you've misunderstandings out there that you've misunderstandings out there that you've encountered about giving to the church encountered about giving to the church encountered about giving to the church that a pastor has to be aware of as he that a pastor has to be aware of as he that a pastor has to be aware of as he seeks to model a more excellent way?

seeks to model a more excellent way? seeks to model a more excellent way? >> Yeah. I mean, we live in an era where so >> Yeah. I mean, we live in an era where so >> Yeah. I mean, we live in an era where so much of what passes for Christianity is much of what passes for Christianity is much of what passes for Christianity is really the prosperity gospel. And I really the prosperity gospel. And I really the prosperity gospel. And I think evangelicals, even conservative think evangelicals, even conservative think evangelicals, even conservative evangelicals, have embied that much more evangelicals, have embied that much more evangelicals, have embied that much more than they realize. Even if they would than they realize. Even if they would than they realize. Even if they would deny it doctrinally, you're saying that deny it doctrinally, you're saying that deny it doctrinally, you're saying that there's a a form of it. there's a a form of it. there's a a form of it. >> Yeah. They would say, "Well, of course." >> Yeah. They would say, "Well, of course." >> Yeah. They would say, "Well, of course." But in and yet deep inside they think, But in and yet deep inside they think, But in and yet deep inside they think, "Okay, if I want God to bless me, I need "Okay, if I want God to bless me, I need "Okay, if I want God to bless me, I need to give." And so kind of a give to get to give." And so kind of a give to get to give." And so kind of a give to get mentality, I think, is common. Um I mentality, I think, is common. Um I mentality, I think, is common. Um I think uh a legalistic approach to giving think uh a legalistic approach to giving think uh a legalistic approach to giving is also common. Uh the kind of God's is also common. Uh the kind of God's is also common. Uh the kind of God's going to get you. If you don't give your going to get you. If you don't give your going to get you. If you don't give your 10% then something bad is going to 10% then something bad is going to 10% then something bad is going to happen. I encountered that frequently. happen. I encountered that frequently. happen. I encountered that frequently. Maybe because as uh certainly as Maybe because as uh certainly as Maybe because as uh certainly as Americans, we view money as an extremely Americans, we view money as an extremely Americans, we view money as an extremely private affair. Uh people get very private affair. Uh people get very private affair. Uh people get very nervous when pastors talk about giving nervous when pastors talk about giving nervous when pastors talk about giving because they assume it's going to be a because they assume it's going to be a because they assume it's going to be a guilt trip. Um and you know, as a guilt trip. Um and you know, as a guilt trip. Um and you know, as a pastor, you have all that working pastor, you have all that working pastor, you have all that working against you. You have misunderstandings against you. You have misunderstandings against you. You have misunderstandings about how the Bible tells us to give.

about how the Bible tells us to give. about how the Bible tells us to give. You have bad experiences people have You have bad experiences people have You have bad experiences people have had. And uh you got to wade through that had. And uh you got to wade through that had. And uh you got to wade through that as you're trying to help people clarify as you're trying to help people clarify as you're trying to help people clarify the the delightful truth that scripture the the delightful truth that scripture the the delightful truth that scripture gives us. gives us. gives us. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's good. And and you >> Yeah. Yeah. That's good. And and you >> Yeah. Yeah. That's good. And and you mentioned that um that guilt is is you mentioned that um that guilt is is you mentioned that um that guilt is is you know rarely an effective motivation, but know rarely an effective motivation, but know rarely an effective motivation, but you you point out in your booklet, Why you you point out in your booklet, Why you you point out in your booklet, Why should I give to my church? But actually should I give to my church? But actually should I give to my church? But actually in the New Testament, uh, obligation in the New Testament, uh, obligation in the New Testament, uh, obligation and need don't factor very prominently and need don't factor very prominently and need don't factor very prominently into the into the New Testament's into the into the New Testament's into the into the New Testament's teaching about giving. Instead, we see teaching about giving. Instead, we see teaching about giving. Instead, we see things like opportunity and joy, uh, things like opportunity and joy, uh, things like opportunity and joy, uh, God's glory and reward. You you point God's glory and reward. You you point God's glory and reward. You you point out that giving out of obligation shows out that giving out of obligation shows out that giving out of obligation shows how obedient we are, but giving with joy how obedient we are, but giving with joy how obedient we are, but giving with joy or or with with cheer. 2 Corinthians 9:7 or or with with cheer. 2 Corinthians 9:7 or or with with cheer. 2 Corinthians 9:7 glorifies God. It it makes it obvious glorifies God. It it makes it obvious glorifies God. It it makes it obvious that you're doing something that only that you're doing something that only that you're doing something that only makes sense if you're a Christian, if makes sense if you're a Christian, if makes sense if you're a Christian, if Jesus died and rose again. So, how can Jesus died and rose again. So, how can Jesus died and rose again. So, how can pastors who are often, let's be honest, pastors who are often, let's be honest, pastors who are often, let's be honest, stressed about the financial situation stressed about the financial situation stressed about the financial situation of their church? They're wanting people of their church? They're wanting people of their church? They're wanting people to give more, how can they practically to give more, how can they practically to give more, how can they practically um motivate giving in a God-honoring, um motivate giving in a God-honoring, um motivate giving in a God-honoring, biblically faithful way?

biblically faithful way? biblically faithful way? >> Well, I think our model is the Apostle >> Well, I think our model is the Apostle >> Well, I think our model is the Apostle Paul. Uh so you know as as you well know Paul. Uh so you know as as you well know Paul. Uh so you know as as you well know he ends Philippians with this um sort of he ends Philippians with this um sort of he ends Philippians with this um sort of a thank you note uh though it's a it's a thank you note uh though it's a it's a thank you note uh though it's a it's such a strange thank you note right he such a strange thank you note right he such a strange thank you note right he begins by saying begins by saying begins by saying I'm not speaking of being in need for I I'm not speaking of being in need for I I'm not speaking of being in need for I have learned to be content in every have learned to be content in every have learned to be content in every situation situation situation he makes it clear that he can do all he makes it clear that he can do all he makes it clear that he can do all things through him who strengthens him things through him who strengthens him things through him who strengthens him like that's just so different from the like that's just so different from the like that's just so different from the thank you notes you get when you give to thank you notes you get when you give to thank you notes you get when you give to a ministry right that basically says, a ministry right that basically says, a ministry right that basically says, "Hey, thanks for your gift. Uh there's "Hey, thanks for your gift. Uh there's "Hey, thanks for your gift. Uh there's so much need out there. Um if you could so much need out there. Um if you could so much need out there. Um if you could please give more, that would be so he please give more, that would be so he please give more, that would be so he doesn't do that at all." Um and I think doesn't do that at all." Um and I think doesn't do that at all." Um and I think that the kind of main thrust of what he that the kind of main thrust of what he that the kind of main thrust of what he has is uh Philippians 4:17. He says, has is uh Philippians 4:17. He says, has is uh Philippians 4:17. He says, "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your the fruit that increases to your the fruit that increases to your credit." Uh and he ends to our God and credit." Uh and he ends to our God and credit." Uh and he ends to our God and father be glory forever and ever. Amen. father be glory forever and ever. Amen. father be glory forever and ever. Amen. It's such a joyful note. uh he's he's It's such a joyful note. uh he's he's It's such a joyful note. uh he's he's clear that he's thankful for what they clear that he's thankful for what they clear that he's thankful for what they did and he loves the fact that they have did and he loves the fact that they have did and he loves the fact that they have uh as he puts a fellowship with him in uh as he puts a fellowship with him in uh as he puts a fellowship with him in his ministry through giving. Uh but the his ministry through giving. Uh but the his ministry through giving. Uh but the reason he wants them to give is not reason he wants them to give is not reason he wants them to give is not because he's concerned God's not going because he's concerned God's not going because he's concerned God's not going to provide for him. It's because he to provide for him. It's because he to provide for him. It's because he loves them and he knows that giving is loves them and he knows that giving is loves them and he knows that giving is good for them. And so as as a pastor, good for them. And so as as a pastor, good for them. And so as as a pastor, that is always in the back of my head that is always in the back of my head that is always in the back of my head whenever I think about giving that um I whenever I think about giving that um I whenever I think about giving that um I want to speak about giving because it's want to speak about giving because it's want to speak about giving because it's good for my congregation. Uh I want them

good for my congregation. Uh I want them good for my congregation. Uh I want them to learn the joy of investing in the to learn the joy of investing in the to learn the joy of investing in the promises of Jesus rather than the promises of Jesus rather than the promises of Jesus rather than the promises of the world with their money. promises of the world with their money. promises of the world with their money. I want them to experience the freedom I want them to experience the freedom I want them to experience the freedom that comes from uh disconnecting my that comes from uh disconnecting my that comes from uh disconnecting my heart from my money. Uh so that as Jesus heart from my money. Uh so that as Jesus heart from my money. Uh so that as Jesus says, I can put my heart on uh heavenly says, I can put my heart on uh heavenly says, I can put my heart on uh heavenly things and the heavenly treasure that things and the heavenly treasure that things and the heavenly treasure that awaits me there. Um and so that's really awaits me there. Um and so that's really awaits me there. Um and so that's really hard as a pastor, right? When when uh hard as a pastor, right? When when uh hard as a pastor, right? When when uh when you know that if they don't cough when you know that if they don't cough when you know that if they don't cough up more money, you're going to have to up more money, you're going to have to up more money, you're going to have to call a missionary home or you're going call a missionary home or you're going call a missionary home or you're going to have to lay off a staff person or to have to lay off a staff person or to have to lay off a staff person or you're not going to be able to uh to do you're not going to be able to uh to do you're not going to be able to uh to do that ministry you're hoping to. And yet, that ministry you're hoping to. And yet, that ministry you're hoping to. And yet, it's so important that when you go it's so important that when you go it's so important that when you go before the congregation, you're saying, before the congregation, you're saying, before the congregation, you're saying, "Look, I I encourage you to give because "Look, I I encourage you to give because "Look, I I encourage you to give because it's good for you. I trust that the it's good for you. I trust that the it's good for you. I trust that the Lord's going to provide everything Lord's going to provide everything Lord's going to provide everything that's good for us to have." Let me let that's good for us to have." Let me let that's good for us to have." Let me let me amen that and then add just a me amen that and then add just a me amen that and then add just a practical word in because you've practical word in because you've practical word in because you've experienced this maybe more Jamie at experienced this maybe more Jamie at experienced this maybe more Jamie at Capitol Hill than a lot of churches do Capitol Hill than a lot of churches do Capitol Hill than a lot of churches do because of the nature of the cyclical because of the nature of the cyclical because of the nature of the cyclical election cycle in DC and the uncertainty election cycle in DC and the uncertainty election cycle in DC and the uncertainty about you know what the situation of about you know what the situation of about you know what the situation of congregational life is going to be you congregational life is going to be you congregational life is going to be you know employment unemployment etc. I I do know employment unemployment etc. I I do know employment unemployment etc. I I do think it's appropriate for pastors to think it's appropriate for pastors to think it's appropriate for pastors to care about being able to pay their staff care about being able to pay their staff care about being able to pay their staff and be able to give to missionaries that and be able to give to missionaries that and be able to give to missionaries that I I do think Paul elsewhere while while I I do think Paul elsewhere while while I I do think Paul elsewhere while while you're right he he does talk about these you're right he he does talk about these you're right he he does talk about these things as a matter of joy and and a

things as a matter of joy and and a things as a matter of joy and and a matter of concern for them he does feel matter of concern for them he does feel matter of concern for them he does feel the burden of the churches and I think the burden of the churches and I think the burden of the churches and I think one of the burden of the churches that one of the burden of the churches that one of the burden of the churches that he feels is caring for those people back he feels is caring for those people back he feels is caring for those people back in Jerusalem who were under persecution in Jerusalem who were under persecution in Jerusalem who were under persecution and that's why he wants to take a gift and that's why he wants to take a gift and that's why he wants to take a gift back to them from the mass Macedonians back to them from the mass Macedonians back to them from the mass Macedonians and and such, it's okay for us to feel and and such, it's okay for us to feel and and such, it's okay for us to feel that burden. But what what I what I also that burden. But what what I what I also that burden. But what what I what I also want to say is when we come to the want to say is when we come to the want to say is when we come to the congregation, congregation, congregation, we do need to talk to them about the we do need to talk to them about the we do need to talk to them about the things that you've just been talking things that you've just been talking things that you've just been talking about, the things that you talk about in about, the things that you talk about in about, the things that you talk about in the book, the things that the New the book, the things that the New the book, the things that the New Testament talks about to them because Testament talks about to them because Testament talks about to them because their giving isn't just God's means to their giving isn't just God's means to their giving isn't just God's means to answering those sorts of needs that they answering those sorts of needs that they answering those sorts of needs that they may be very real, like a bunch of may be very real, like a bunch of may be very real, like a bunch of members of the congregation have lost members of the congregation have lost members of the congregation have lost their jobs. They're not able to give the their jobs. They're not able to give the their jobs. They're not able to give the way they're supposed to give. We don't way they're supposed to give. We don't way they're supposed to give. We don't know how the church budget is going to know how the church budget is going to know how the church budget is going to come out this year. That's really not come out this year. That's really not come out this year. That's really not how we want to talk to the congregation, how we want to talk to the congregation, how we want to talk to the congregation, even when those situations arise. And even when those situations arise. And even when those situations arise. And even though it's appropriate for us to even though it's appropriate for us to even though it's appropriate for us to care about those kinds of things, care about those kinds of things, care about those kinds of things, because I, you know, as as the as a guy because I, you know, as as the as a guy because I, you know, as as the as a guy that runs a seminary, I'm always that runs a seminary, I'm always that runs a seminary, I'm always thinking about taking care of my people.

thinking about taking care of my people. thinking about taking care of my people. And I don't have a membership like I And I don't have a membership like I And I don't have a membership like I used to have before. The the membership used to have before. The the membership used to have before. The the membership actually gave me more confidence that I actually gave me more confidence that I actually gave me more confidence that I was going to be able to take care of my was going to be able to take care of my was going to be able to take care of my people. So, I think it's good for people. So, I think it's good for people. So, I think it's good for pastors to care about that. And I think pastors to care about that. And I think pastors to care about that. And I think that's the experience that pastors have. that's the experience that pastors have. that's the experience that pastors have. They come from never having had to think They come from never having had to think They come from never having had to think about that to having to think about about that to having to think about about that to having to think about that. And then they pivot to guilt that. And then they pivot to guilt that. And then they pivot to guilt >> because they're appropriately burdened >> because they're appropriately burdened >> because they're appropriately burdened about that, but they're responding to it about that, but they're responding to it about that, but they're responding to it in the wrong way. So, the right way to in the wrong way. So, the right way to in the wrong way. So, the right way to do it is exactly what you and Matt have do it is exactly what you and Matt have do it is exactly what you and Matt have been talking about, which is go to the been talking about, which is go to the been talking about, which is go to the principles of the New Testament and talk principles of the New Testament and talk principles of the New Testament and talk about that. Not about the gosh, we're in about that. Not about the gosh, we're in about that. Not about the gosh, we're in a terrible situation now. we really need a terrible situation now. we really need a terrible situation now. we really need you to dig deep. You know, you you're you to dig deep. You know, you you're you to dig deep. You know, you you're wanting to train them in the right wanting to train them in the right wanting to train them in the right reasons to give. And I think, but you reasons to give. And I think, but you reasons to give. And I think, but you know, part of it is giving sets us free. know, part of it is giving sets us free. know, part of it is giving sets us free. It helps sets us It helps set us free It helps sets us It helps set us free It helps sets us It helps set us free from the love of money, from the love of money, from the love of money, >> uh from from caring too much about >> uh from from caring too much about >> uh from from caring too much about things. It it reminds us of who things. It it reminds us of who things. It it reminds us of who everything that we have comes from. It's everything that we have comes from. It's everything that we have comes from. It's all a gift. Uh and we're stewards of it.

all a gift. Uh and we're stewards of it. all a gift. Uh and we're stewards of it. It really ultimately doesn't belong to It really ultimately doesn't belong to It really ultimately doesn't belong to us. it belongs to God. And um it teaches us. it belongs to God. And um it teaches us. it belongs to God. And um it teaches us dependence upon him. Uh you know, us dependence upon him. Uh you know, us dependence upon him. Uh you know, think think of how that worked in the think think of how that worked in the think think of how that worked in the Old Testament with with tithing of the Old Testament with with tithing of the Old Testament with with tithing of the fruits of the what had been brought in fruits of the what had been brought in fruits of the what had been brought in through the harvest. Uh you know, that through the harvest. Uh you know, that through the harvest. Uh you know, that taught people you hey depend upon God to taught people you hey depend upon God to taught people you hey depend upon God to provide for you. Even the Old Testament provide for you. Even the Old Testament provide for you. Even the Old Testament Sabbath law taught people in an agrarian Sabbath law taught people in an agrarian Sabbath law taught people in an agrarian society, you need to rest one day a week society, you need to rest one day a week society, you need to rest one day a week and trust God to provide for you. So and trust God to provide for you. So and trust God to provide for you. So that there are a lot of important that there are a lot of important that there are a lot of important spiritual lessons that the New Testament spiritual lessons that the New Testament spiritual lessons that the New Testament teaches that we need to learn out of our teaches that we need to learn out of our teaches that we need to learn out of our giving and that's how the pastor wants giving and that's how the pastor wants giving and that's how the pastor wants to come to the congregation, not kind of to come to the congregation, not kind of to come to the congregation, not kind of in a panic.