One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
Proverbs 11:24 HCSB
If you know me or you have read many of my blogs, you know I am a simple person. I don’t use a lot of big or fancy words. While reading a commentary on a particular passage of Scripture this morning, it was explained as a paradox of Christian life. I must confess, I thought I had a general understanding of the term, but I had to look it up to be sure. A paradox is defined as a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that, when investigated or explained, may prove to be well-founded or true. As I read this definition, I realized that there are many paradoxes in our Christian lives. I thought it might be interesting to look at a few of these.
I wanted to start with giving. As Christians, we are to consider the needs of others to be more important than our own. Philippians 2:3 says we should do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. As Christians, we put God first, others second, and ourselves last. When we do this, we want to give. We want to serve and help others.
God doesn’t want us to give as a test as to whether or not He will give more in return. He wants us to want to give out of the goodness of our hearts. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul said, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God doesn’t want us to give grudgingly but with a heart of love and service. We know God sees what is in our hearts.
Jesus said in Luke 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It’s easy to see what we value and treasure because this is where we spend our time and money. Take a minute to consider where your heart is.
What is absurd about giving is that the Bible tells us in numerous passages that if we give, more will be given to us. We will actually have more by giving more. Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring a full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be good in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.”
The more we give, the more we receive. Paul said in Corinthians 9:6, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
There was a time in my life when I honestly could not afford to tithe. As soon as I realized my predicament, I had to make a decision: tithe or not tithe. I decided to tithe. I put that check in the plate and trusted God. God came through the very next day. He blessed me with not one but two opportunities to increase my income.
God owns everything; He doesn’t need your money. He simply wants you to show your appreciation for the job or income He has given you by returning a portion to Him to serve Him and others.
And it’s not just about money, we can also give of our time.
My friend, if you think you can’t afford to tithe, let me assure you of something. You can’t afford not to tithe. Trust in Him. The more you give, the more you will receive. It’s just one of those paradoxes of Christian life. Don’t take my word for it, see for yourself.
Have a great day!