God Doesn't Want You to Give; He Wants You to Will.

There has been a great controversy surrounding giving to the church or to pastors today, especially on the subject of tithe.

There are those who express genuine worry about the abuse of giving by some men of God, which has resulted in exploitation of vulnerable believers. This we cannot deny because the Bible itself says,

"And many will follow their  destructive ways, because of whom the way of  truth will be blasphemed. BY COVETOUSNESS  THEY WILL EXPLOIT YOU WITH DECEPTIVE WORDS..." (2nd Peter 2:2-3)

There are also those who, for the mere fact of hating the Body of Christ and seeking means to discredit the church, jump on the bandwagon to launch attack on pastors and the church. Like Judas, such people are not honest critics but self-seeking.

"But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot,  Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three  hundred denarii  and given to the poor?” THIS  HE SAID, NOT THAT HE CARED FOR THE POOR, BUT  BECAUSE HE WAS A THIEF, and had the money box;  and he used to take what was put in it." (Acts 12:4-8).  

Another great concern is also where the subject of giving has been attached to spiritual blessings as if giving is a means to bribe God or twist God's hands. It is even sounding almost like giving is a  magical way to prosperity in the Kingdom of God. And this has resulted in some form of coercive tactics to raise funds for the church.  

Honestly, it is important for us all to realise that God doesn't need your giving to bless you. In fact, He doesn't need your money before He will do anything for you. If you didn't pay for your salvation then you cannot pay for anything from God that is a part of the package of salvation. The Bible says,

"He  who did not spare His own Son, but delivered  Him up for us all, "HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?" (Romans 8:32).

We also see Peter saying this to Simon the sorcerer who wanted to buy the anointing of God:

"But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with  you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!" (Acts 8:20).

God is not a merchant. The church of God or ministry is not a commercial venture. And therefore giving must never be compulsory, coercive or a bait. 

It must only be necessary and very necessary because the Bible says, 

"So let each one  give as  he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of  necessity; FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER." (2nd Cor. 9:7).

The cheerful giver is a person who knows God loves Him so much and has blessed Him to be a blessing to the church, the poor and needy and the society. Such people increase and are exposed to other dimensions of grace or opportunities that open great doors for them to continue to be a blessing to others as revealed in scriptures:

"And  God is able to make all grace abound toward  you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all  things, may have an abundance for every good  work." (2nd Cor. 9:8).

That said we must note carefully that giving in itself and of itself is not what God wants from us. No! Paul said,

"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the  poor, and though I give my body to be burned, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, it profits me nothing." (1st Cor. 13:3). 

Love in this context means a willing spirit. You can give without love but you can never also love without giving. You can give without being willing but you will not refuse to give if you are truly willing. That is also why how much you give does not matter as much as how much you are willing to give. Hence the scripture says,

"FOR IF THERE IS FIRST A WILLING MIND, it is  accepted according to what one has, and not  according to what he does not have." (2nd Cor. 8:12). 

Are you willing to give? Then give and it will be acceptable. But if you are not willing you will be only exercising a religious ritual as Cain did and was rejected.

Apostle Abeiku Okai

Anathallo Chapel International