Why Give?

June 14, 2026

Scripture: II Corinthians 9:6-8

An elderly woman fainted and struck her head on the end of a pew during a worship service. Immediately, an EMT in the congregation called an ambulance. As they strapped her to a stretcher and got ready to head out the door, the elderly lady regained consciousness. She motioned for her daughter to come near. Everyone thought she was summoning her strength to convey what could be her final words. The daughter leaned over until her ear was at her mother’s mouth. She whispered, ’My offering is in my purse.” 

Most people would not have such concern about making sure his/her tithe was in as this lady. Today, the average American churchgoer gives about 2–3% of their household income annually. It is rare when people give 10% or a large chunk of change to the church.

A man had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He could receive little company and was not to be stressed or excited. While in the hospital a rich uncle died and left him a million dollars. His family wondered how to break the news to him with the least amount of excitement. It was decided to ask the preacher if he would go and break the news quietly to the man. The preacher went and gradually led up to the question. The preacher asked the patient what he would do if he inherited a million dollars. He said, “I think I would give half of it to the church.” The preacher dropped dead.

Over the years as pastor, I have observed that there are two extreme attitudes among professing Christians pertaining to this topic of tithing or giving. There are those who feel like skipping church when the pastor is going to be talking about money and tithing. Then there are those who think, “It is about time somebody challenged people to do their fair share. In fact, several people over the past few years have told me to preach on this topic of giving/tithing.

Now, I admit, when I was younger, when the preacher or when I talked about money, I was uncomfortable. In fact, I still am today. I know there are a fair number of people just making it. Yet, I know it is an important topic. For your information and this is a confession. I have not preached on this topic of giving for over 18 years. Now, I have mentioned the idea of giving at various times, like Kathy and I learned years ago to give 10% save 10% (Proverbs 13:22) and live on the rest. I have also mentioned at various times from Luke 16:10-12 the principle that if we are not trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, the Lord will not trust us with true/heavenly riches.

So, in so many ways it is critical for each of us to learn the importance of stewardship and this concept of tithing/giving. Did you know that in the Bible prayer is mentioned 371 times, love 714 times, and giving 2162 times? Plus, Jesus talked about money numerous times.

Why does God talk about giving so much? It is because we need to hear it. So, this morning, I want us to turn our attention to the topic of Why Give?

Here is the first reason. Give because God commands us to give. He commands this because it is the best thing for us. 

God’s command to tithe/give is clear and direct. For instance, Leviticus 27:30 states, A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord

Now why does the Lord command us to give. It is because our sin nature runs deep particularly relating to money. God instructs us to give because it is the best thing for us. Remember God gives commands because He wants the best of us. Since the sinful nature runs really deep, we often struggle with His commands, especially this one. Yet, if we realize His commands are for our good, then we will crucify that sinful nature, trust and obey Him. Listen, He does not want to have the love of money destroy your life. He does not want you to be selfish towards Him or others.

Now, let me note this. New Testament giving emphasizes willingness and cheerfulness rather than a fixed percentage (2 Corinthians 9:7). God commanded tithing for Israel under the Old Covenant, but for Christians today, tithing is not a legal requirement. However, please take to heart the law has been written on our hearts through His Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10) Believers in Christ should have an inner desire to give as an expression of their faith and stewardship. We are called to be faithful stewards of what the Lord has given us.

Secondly, give in honor/worship to the LORD! Give because of who He Is!

I Chronicles 16:29 states, Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 

Proverbs 3:9–10 says, Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Scripture calls us to honor God for His greatness, holiness, and divine authority, reflecting our reverence and obedience to Him. He is God! He is the Creator and the Giver of life. He deserves our honor and worship!

Thirdly, give because all things are a gift from Him!

God gives you the ability to produce wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17-19 states, You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. 19 If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 

James 1:17 reminds us, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.

I am afraid that we have forgotten how God has blessed this nation. Too many give credit to themselves instead of the Lord God Almighty! Bottom of Form

Giving is an acknowledgment that our all blessings originate from God. Please do not neglect/forget to acknowledge and appreciate God’s blessings.

Scripture Alive Video: RightNow Media—Tithe (Donuts)

Here is a fourth reason to give. Give out of thanksgiving and gratitude for Jesus and all of God’s blessings!

II Corinthians 8:7-9 states, But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

God has delivered us from sin and death as he has made us rich in spiritual blessings. He poured out his life so that we might have life.

Emil Mettler owned a restaurant in London. One of Mettler’s policies was never allowing a Christian minister or missionary to pay for a meal in his restaurant. On one occasion, the Secretary of the London Missionary Society wanted to pay for his food. Mettler shared his policy with the gentleman. As he opened the cash register, he pulled out a six-inch nail. Mettler explained, "I keep this nail with my money to remind me of the price that Christ paid for my salvation and of what I owe Him in return."

Now please note this. Paul goes on and talks about the idea of giving. II Corinthians 8:12, For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Please note the gift is acceptable according to what one has.

1. Give because you don’t want to steal from the LORD!

In Malachi 3:6-10a, The Lord tells the Israelites that they have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Then in the middle of verse 7, the Lord says, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” The people respond, “How are we to return?” Then the Lord says this in verses 8-10, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house.”

Every so often you hear about thieves who steal or embezzle church money. We get really incensed and ticked off about that. So how do you think the Lord feels when we steal from Him?

Malachi says that when we fail to bring what God has asked of us, we are robbing God.

1. Give because you will store up treasures in heaven!

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Treasures on earth are meaningless! You can’t take it with you. I am convinced that there is more after this life than there is to this life. I believe that each time I give to the Lord or help others, I am laying up treasures in heaven. Unfortunately, many do not believe this. Their heart is on the things of this world.

This leads me to the next reason to give. Give because it shows you are seeking Him first, that you are trusting and obeying Him! Put Him first and He will provide. He will bless!

Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-33 states, So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Note Philippians 4:18, 19).

Earlier we noted from Malachi 3 the idea of stealing from the Lord. After he challenges his people to give, he says in Malachi 3:10, Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 

At the heart of giving is to trust the Lord! It is a step of faith that requires us to let go of control! If you do, then you can expect blessings to flow into your life in various forms. This may mean financial security, but it can also encompass peace, joy, and health. As you put God first and foremost in your life including how you manage your money, you will begin to experience an abundance that goes beyond just your material needs. Faithful tithing shows confidence in God’s ability to provide and reward.

Scripture Alive video: Increased Trust in God

1. Give because it supports God’s work through His Church!

It strengthens the ministry, outreach, and stability of your local church. It will help provide the means to support your pastor(s) and missionaries (I Timothy 5:17,18; Matthew 28:18, 19; Philippians 4:15-19). It will help accomplish needed building projects and renovations II Chronicles 24:4-14; Exodus 35, 36; II Kings 12:2-16). It will help those in need. The Bible is clear when it comes to helping out those who have a legitimate need. Deuteronomy 15:7 states, You shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother (Deuteronomy 15:7). Hebrews 13:16, And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” 

The church is God’s organization to spread his good news and love to the world. It is God’s people that offers truth, love, and hope beyond the grave. It is God’s organization to help a person grow as a person and as a leader. The Church is God’s organization to help others deal with pain and suffering, to encourage and support through challenging times. It is God’s organization so lives can be transformed.

Many churches struggle, go into survival mode, when struggling with finances. I am afraid this church has struggled with this for decades.

Flip Wilson was a popular comedian years ago. One of his characters was a Preacher at the “What’s Happening Now Church.” Flip did a skit where he talked about this preacher. The preacher said, “If this church is going to serve God, it’s got to get down on its knees and crawl.” And the audience yelled back "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl! “And once this church has learned to crawl, it’s got to get up on its feet and walk! "Make it walk preacher, make it walk" the audience moaned. And once this church has learned to walk, it’s got to begin to learn to run!!  "Make it run, preacher, make it run!"  "And in order to run, its go to reach deep down into pockets and learn to give. "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl."   A church can’t grow if it doesn’t give. And if it doesn’t give, it will crawl.

Here is the last reason we should give. Giving reflects that you are growing in the Christ!

Giving reflects that the Lord is first place in your life. Giving reflects God’s generosity. Since the Lord is the ultimate giver, giving reflects His selfless love. Giving reflects one is committed to honoring God as God as one shifts focus from material possessions to eternal values.

Giving reflects the fruit of the Spirit of love and goodness. A believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, exhibits love and generosity as an outflow of the transformation that has taken place within. This transformation is not self-generated but is the work of the Spirit, enabling believers to give freely, joyfully, with a thankful attitude.

Giving also reflects God’s wisdom in dealing with finances and overcoming the dragon of materialism, greed, and selfishness. For the commitment to give prompts one to assess one’s economic condition, to be prudent, to be diligent, to have self-control, to put one’s priorities in order. Luke 14:28 states, For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”  Proverbs 21:5 states, The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Giving reflects knowing that you will reap what you sow (II Corinthians 9:6). Giving also reflects continual trust as you take to heart that God can bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (II Corinthians 9:8).

1. D. Rockefeller said, “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.”
   
   

Now, the Biblical practice of giving reflects obedience, faith, and trust in His provision. When you think about giving, it is crucial to remember that the heart behind your giving matters as much as the act itself. God desires for each of us to give out of love, not obligation. Our motivation for giving should stem from gratitude for the many blessings we have received. In this way, tithing becomes a joyful expression of one’s faith, rather than a legalistic requirement. If you give from the heart, you will feel blessed as Acts 20:35 states, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

I encourage you to examine your heart! By fostering a spirit of gratitude, we honor God and create an attitude of generosity. When we focus on the blessings in our lives, we are more likely to give cheerfully. It’s a great reminder that all we have is a gift from God, and returning a portion to Him is a way of acknowledging this truth.

Let me close with this story from Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

It was the small offering of a poor widow that caught Jesus’ attention. She had a willing heart! She had given her all, while the others had given out of their abundance. Regardless of the amount, a willing heart and complete trust in God’s provision is critical (II Corinthians 9:7). I encourage you to give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Let’s pray.