The Values of a Generous Mindset

Tithing in the Church can be a touchy subject. From financial giving emurges emotions and reactions. It can bring out our cynical side, dredge up our guilt, and even reveal our mistrust. The bible warns that we cannot serve two masters; pinning God against money. Money viewed as a master is not to say currency possesses its own power, but our ability to call on money as if it does. It is the misguided intention to use our resources as the solution to our need to trust in God for his provision, direction, and strength. Our emotions and reactions about giving reveal where we are with trusting God as Master. Thoughts and acts of giving should provoke joyfulness, gratitude, and praise towards God.

At Kingship, financially giving, along with serving and blessing others is something we do together as a Church. It is both our individual and corporate maturing as the body of Christ. Here are three important values we want to emphasize in the way we give at Kingship.

Faithfully

• Consistent in acts of regularly giving

• Commitment in trusting God together

• Recognizing God is first faithful to us 

What this might practically look like:

• Setting a small amount of your monthly giving on Auto-pay to signify your commitment to relying on God’s provision. {1}

• Put your trust in God, by giving at the first of the month or the first of your earnings.

• Plan to financially give to God first when building your budget rather than giving him your leftovers.

For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

1 Chronicles 29:14b

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

Proverbs 3:9

Graciously

• Allow room to give from the heart; not legalistically

• Carry a readiness and eagerness to give as you see abundance from God

• Be generous in gifting your thankfulness

What this might practically look like:

• Actively go through the process of giving; not relying on presets or auto-pay. {1}

• Prayerfully give a unique amount.

• Practice wise financial management and budgeting to allow you to have a generous lifestyle.

“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.

Exodus 25:2

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 8:12

Cheerfully

• Take joy in blessing others

• Practice a heart of contentment; not using giving as a means of pride, resolving guilt, or earning merit.

What this might practically look like:

• Give beyond your regular giving to efforts like “local missions”.

• Take time to bless neighbors and friends.

• Practice Bless Eat Learn

• Thank God for the opportunity to give; not fixated on the amount.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16

{1} Both of these practices seem to be in contradition to each other because it is easy to view them legalistically. Giving should include both expressing a faithful commitment to being fully apart of a local expression of the church body and a responsive heart to generousity freely as we are called to by the Holy Spirit.