How you perceive giving to the Lord, will, to a large degree, determine what kind of giver you are. It will determine, not only how much you give, but also the attitude with which you give. So, what is your perception of giving to the Lord? Do you view it as a burden and something you wish you did not have to do? If that is your perception of giving to God, you probably do not give like you should. So, what should our attitude be? Paul tells us that we should view our giving as a matter of sowing and reaping (2 Corinthians 9:6).

When we give to God financially, we are sowing seed, making us spiritual farmers. No farmer would ever view sowing seed as a burden. Instead, he realizes that it is a blessing because he knows that seed-sowing will eventually result in harvesting a crop, which will help him feed his family and meet his financial responsibilities. However, there is something else that he will do with the crop that he harvests. He will set some of the seed aside, i.e., he separates seed from that crop that can be planted at the appropriate time in order to secure another crop the next season. The farmer views the sowing of seed as an investment in the future. What is the spiritual application of this?

When it comes to giving to God, it should never be viewed as a burden. It should be viewed as an opportunity to invest in our future, not simply from a physical standpoint, but from a spiritual and eternal one (1Timothy 6:17-19).

This teaching of Paul is considering the use of our earthly treasures in general, but certainly the principle is applicable to our giving to God. When we give to God, instead of planting physical seed in earthly fields, we are sowing spiritual seed into God’s field. We are investing our seed in God’s work on earth. That is an investment of the highest nature. It is an investment that will reap for us spiritual blessings in Christ.

We should not set aside all our material prosperity to that end. We need to remember that there are other responsibilities we have in this life, like providing for the needs of our families, paying bills, etc. After all, Paul once said, “owe no man nothing.” The question is, when it comes to what God has blessed us with, what are we going to do for God and His cause? Paul tells us that we must put something aside for the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:2).

The Bible is pretty specific with regard to our giving. When are we to give? Upon the first day of every week. Who is to give? Each of us. Where are we to give? Paul said, put something aside and store it up. This is clearly a reference to a local treasury. How much are we to give? As we prosper.

Is there a set amount that God has commanded us to give specifically? No, not in this dispensation. Do we have any guidelines to what pleases God? I think so. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to tithe, that is, to give Him a tenth of both their income and property (Leviticus 27:30-32). This is what God demanded under the Law of Moses.

We are not under the law of Moses today, so this is not a command for us. God, however, was not being unreasonable in demanding a tithe from His people. Thus, it would be unreasonable for us to give a tenth of our income now. It is not commanded that we do so, but it is reasonable. Based on what pleased God in the past, I can ascertain that, if I sow 2% of what God has blessed me with, He will probably not bless me to reap (2 Corinthians 9:6). Now, when we give as we have been prospered, what kind of attitude should we possess? Paul tells us:

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)
⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What is your perception of giving? Do you do it reluctantly or cheerfully? Your answer will probably reflect how much you lay by in store on the first day of the week.