Giving To The Kingdom Of God Is An Act Of Faith

Unlike any business or economy of this world, God’s entire enterprise on earth is completely self-funded. It’s a tangible testimony to the world that God’s promises are true. The Church cannot (and should not) rely on the government to fund what God has tasked the Church to do – to give in faith. Romans 1:17 says, “17 The just shall live by faith.” This “faith” does not encompass only certain areas of our lives, but our whole life. There is no area of our life that the Word of God does not touch. Someone once said, “If you can’t trust God with your money, how will you trust Him with your life?”

The Bible has a lot to say about money and giving and receiving because God wants us to know His perspective on both. Romans 10:17 says, 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If we are to give by faith, it’s imperative that our faith is based on what God’s word says.

In the months ahead, we will offer instructions from God’s word on His plan to meet our financial needs, and to build His Kingdom with what He provides us. This is not intended to “get into your pocket,” but rather to instruct you in very important Kingdom principles that God makes available to sustain you in a world that operates on a different economy.
Let’s start with a simple statement, “I can’t afford to give.” On the surface, this appears to be a legitimate concern. I’ve heard people say, “When I make more money, I’ll start giving.” Unfortunately, you will never make enough money to do what God is calling you to do right now. Giving is an act of faith not tied to how much money you make or have. It’s only when you understand how your faith works that you will act.

Under the Old Covenant (Testament), tithing (giving a tenth of one’s income) was required according to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 27:30-34). You didn’t have a choice. In those days, the income exchanges were crops and livestock. People were obliged to give a tenth of their crops and livestock to the Lord. The Levitical priests made sure to collect on everyone’s tithe. 

Under the New Covenant (Testament), we are no longer under the Law of Moses (Galatians 5:18). Galatians 3:24-25 says, 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. If the Law was a tutor, in this context, what did it teach? To give. Old Testament = obliged giving; New Testament = giving by faith. Old Testament = giving a tenth of your income; New Testament = giving what you purpose in your heart by faith (2 Cor. 9:7). No one from Cornerstone will come knocking on your door to collect your tithe.

Something always happens when we give in faith. It is captured well in 2 Corinthians 9:6,10.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

The Apostle Paul uses the spiritual law of seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:22) to describe our giving. What we give Paul refers to as seed. He who supplies seed to the sower is God. Any ability you have to give starts with God, not you. Apart from Him, you would have nothing to give. Note that God gives seed to the sower. If you are a sower (giver), God has already given you seed and will continue to give you seed as you sow. Even if you are not a sower yet, God makes sure everyone in His Kingdom has some seed to sow. He also provides you with bread for food (to meet your own needs). Seeds, under the right conditions, produce an abundance of more seed. Can you see how God sustains the earth through seedtime and harvest? God will sustain you financially, and His church, in the exact same way as He builds His Kingdom. 

When someone says, “I can’t afford to give,” are they saying, “God has given me no seed?” Or are they saying, “I choose not to sow the seed God has given me?” Faith chooses to sow the seed and produce a crop. Whatever a farmer sows in seed ALWAYS produces more seed than what was sown. From a single seed of corn, the average number of kernels on an ear of corn ranges from 400 to 800, based on conditions. This is the law of seedtime and harvest. This is how God grows and sustains His Kingdom. If you want to partake of God’s economy, start sowing the seed God has given you in faith! See what God does to increase your seed to give.