When you buy something, it’s an exchange. You expect to get something for your money. But what about when you give?Christians are called to be generous towards God’s Kingdom— there’s no question about that. But should we expect something in return? We’ll talk about that on this Faith and Finance.
When you buy something, it’s an exchange. You expect to get something for your money. But what about when you give?Christians are called to be generous towards God’s Kingdom— there’s no question about that. But should we expect something in return? We’ll talk about that on this Faith and Finance.
Should we expect something in return for our generosity? The answer is a definite but qualified yes.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 tells us, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Now, “reaping bountifully” does not mean that God must reward you monetarily for your generosity. You cannot make God a debtor. He already owns everything. But it does mean that God will bless you for your generosity, but that blessing can come in any form that God chooses.
You have a problem with your heart attitude when you expect— or demand— material blessing from God for your generosity. This takes the form of sins like greed and covetousness— not to mention arrogance— but also a gaping lack of gratitude for what God has already given you.
BEWARE OF “NAME IT AND CLAIM IT”
This is far more prevalent than you might think. Consider the so-called Prosperity Gospel, with its doctrine of “name it and claim it.” Its teachers quote the Bible freely, but twist the meaning of certain verses to support their claims.
An example of this is James 4:2, which reads, “You do not have because you do not ask God.” The Prosperity Gospel would have you believe that all you have to do is ask God for something— anything— and He’ll give it to you. But it ignores the very next verse that says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
1 John 5:14 tells us the right way to bring our supplications to God. It says, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” When your heart aligns with God’s, you can never ask for anything He doesn’t already want to give you.
Matthew 19:29 is also twisted around to mean that God must reward your giving with greater financial reward. It reads, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”
But the hundredfold increase that this verse promises is not material wealth, but fellowship with thousands of other believers, here and in eternity. Yes, there is a return, and far greater than anything we could ever give, but it’s not money.
In fact, the Bible, and Jesus in particular, promised something quite different— that there is a cost for being His disciple. In John 15:20, Jesus warns, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” Jesus promises tribulation, not prosperity.
Make no mistake, by any name, the Prosperity Gospel is an aberration of orthodox Christian theology. It claims that God will reward you with material wealth according to your faith. So as your faith increases, so will your wealth. Of course, Scripture promises no such thing.
The Prosperity Gospel is a modern heresy. It crept into a few local congregations and tent revivals after World War II, but eventually found its way to radio and television, leading untold numbers astray by the 1980s and giving the word “televangelism” a negative connotation.
And while it started in the U.S., it’s now found around the world. Not surprisingly, it has spread faster in areas with great poverty, such as Africa, South America, and anywhere people struggle to make a living.
As with any false doctrine, we must be vigilant to keep the Prosperity Gospel out of our churches. Theologian John Piper has identified several common traits to watch out for— here are two:
The absence of doctrine related to suffering. Remember Jesus’ warnings about the cost of discipleship.
The absence of detailed exposition of Scripture. In other words, “cherry picking” verses without giving their context
To sum up, you should expect something in return for your generosity— God’s blessing that enables you to do good works that glorify Him— not material wealth for your own pleasure.
On this program, Rob also answers listener questions:
What are the best conservative investment options for a couple in their 70s?
How do you determine whether to retire now or wait a little longer?
When does it make sense to pay off a home mortgage early?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Also, visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community, and give as we expand our outreach.
