Recently in the “The Dallas Morning News”, I read an article titled A Dip in Donations.The article highlighted a number of seminaries that had cutbacks and shortages in their budgets: Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Dallas Theological, and Southwestern Baptist all had faced severe challenges.  Yet the majority of the churches in the DFW area had remained insulated from the economic downturn according to the article. Why, because attendance generally increases in hard-times and if there people are in the pews, they generally give, when they are able. My point to write blog, is to show what the Bible has to say about giving in Hard times.  Below are 5 principles that should guide our giving. [based from Paul’s message to the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 8) ].   

Grace is the bases of our gift! Until people have experienced the grace of God in their lives it is likely they will be unwilling to contribute to God’s work and his workers. Paul knew this, and reminded the church at Corinth this. (v.1)

Giving should overflow from Joy! Paul said, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity”(v.2). The Macedonian churches were the example church. They were joyful to give regardless of their circumstances! Paul later writes that giving should be planned (v12), indicating that joyful giving is not spontaneous rather planned.

Faith is expressed in our giving! There is no amount in giving that God counts as generous according to Paul. The least can be the greatest. People who make little, and give what they are able or even beyond their ability, have a tremendous amount of faith, people that do this should be careful in not trying to gamble with God. Pastors as well should never promise that God is going to give, as if God was obligated to give a financial reward back, nonetheless, Paul, highlights that givers are people of faith (v.3) and faith is expressed in giving.

Giving should be a privilege: Paul describes the best givers are those that see their giving as a privilege not a price. The people were supporting the service of the saints (v.4). When we think about it, if the gift is going towards someone who is truly God’s worker, you know this gift is going to God’s work. Giving is privilege to co-operate in God’s work here on earth.

Devotion to God, directs our giving! Paul has described to the Corinthian church other churches in Macedonia that were giving greatly, because they had experienced the grace of God and had first committed themselves to the Lord (v.5). This commitment to God would in turn guide and direct their giving. It’s hard to know where God wants us to invest if we don’t know God. Devotion to God will always direct our giving.