In the classic “The Cost of Discipleship” Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: “Discipleship mean adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the law of Christ which is the law of the cross.”

In this quote, Bonhoeffer is trying to get across the idea that following Jesus does not imply in simply learning from and about him but ultimately, in becoming like him in all areas of life. One of the areas of life that requires our full attention so that it’s brought under “the law of the cross”, is our wealth and finances. Money (like sex) has become a very sensitive topic in our culture because it is a major source of meaning and significance for all of us. It is a big identity shaper (even to Christians) and because this is true, churches tend to either pay too much attention to the topic of money or pay no attention at all.  I believe that neither approach is a healthy one. Both these camps indicate that money still has its claws deeply embedded into their flesh. We need balance on how often we talk about it and in the way we talk about it. Moreover, we need to approach it boldly and through the lens of the Gospel.

In the NT, money which Jesus calls “Mammon”, is something the Christian must bring under the lordship of Christ, because “Mammon” is a ruler, an authority, a power (Eph.6:12) that must be trampled over and placed under submission.

Below are some simple answers to questions that may help us understand the correct place of money and finances in the life of the Christian community so that, it is not controlled by it but able to harness it in such a way that it brings glory to Christ in making his Kingdom visible in the world.

From where does money and wealth come from?

The gospel teaches that it all comes from grace. Western civilization was taught to believe (since the Enlightenment) that everything you are and have is a byproduct of your own hard work. Non-western cultures instead of putting full emphasis on the individual, have placed a lot of emphasis on the family. For them, who you are is not associated with what you have as much as with your family name. Different cultures have different ways of explaining this, the gospel however, says that everything good whether it’s material or spiritual proceeds from God (James 1:17). It’s all a free gift of his grace.

There are people in the world with some of the same things you have and are not as wealthy as you are. Meaning it’s not because you’re smarter, healthier, work harder, have more faith, come from a better family, ethnicity or country. It’s not all luck, It’s all grace and if grace were to be removed, all these things would be taken away from you. Learn this: you live everyday with that possibility. So, grace is both the gift and the sustenance of the gift. As Jesus says, the bread is “daily”.

For what purpose is money and wealth given?

The gospel teaches that it proceeds from grace for the purpose of grace. In receiving there’s a great opportunity to model God. Riches do not exist for accumulation purposes (Luke 12:13-21), just look at God. God owns it all but he is generous and does not keep his wealth to himself. Instead, he is constantly giving it away. This happens both within the God-head (as all three persons of the Trinity generously give to each other) and between God and his creation. The ultimate example of God’s generosity to his creation is displayed on the cross where he gave what was most precious to himself — his Son whom is constantly giving Him all the glory (Note that “all things” in Col 1:15-20 means all of creation). Wealth is given to model God and to model him is to modestly enjoy his gifts (nothing wrong with driving a nice car, for example) but even more to use what you have been given to heal what’s broken, to put together what’s falling apart and, to bless what has been cursed.

One of the ways to do this is to be sensitive to the material needs that surround you and give directly to it. Another way is to give to the local church. The local church is the ultimate expression on earth of Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. From the Spirit through the local church flows the power of the Gospel to a broken world first in word and then in deed. Early Christians understood this well and so they brought everything they had and placed it at the Apostle’s feet (Acts 4:32-35) for the purposes of supplying the needs of those who lived full time off of the preaching of the Gospel (1 Cor 9:7-14) and of those who did not have the means to support themselves such as the sick, widows and, orphans.

Give both ways.

With what motivation should I give?

The Gospel says that giving should proceed from the heart. Giving should not be the result of intellectual persuasion nor of emotional manipulation (2 Cor 9:7). If it ends up being a result of one of these two things, it will work temporarily but it won’t last. Why? Because the forces that have propelled you to give where external, not internal. Think about it: if there was no manipulation of feelings or coercion, you wouldn’t have given spontaneously to begin with. Which means that when and if these external forces are gone you will cease to give. A good example of how it should be done is in 2 Cor 8:9 where the Apostle Paul presents a need and an opportunity to meet that need to the church in Corinth. Instead of manipulating their emotions and intellectually bending their consciences ( which he could’ve done very well) Paul simply reminds them of the Gospel. He writes: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich”. Lasting generosity is deeply rooted in a heart that understands and is appreciative of the Gospel. Paul defines the Gospel in this text as Christ exchanging his spiritual wealth for our spiritual poverty. If the Gospel has saturated the heart, giving will flow joyfully, generously, sacrificially and above all, constantly instead of sporadic.

What amounts should I give?

The tithe or, the “tenth part” is a good parameter for giving from all your income established in the Old Testament that might still work for today but nevertheless, it poses a couple of risks.  #1) Many use their “tenth” as a device to relieve their consciences of the religious obligation, making them feel that they are in good standing with God because they have given what was required. #2) Many give their “tenth” with the merit/ reward concept in mind. They expect God’s blessings as a consequence of their giving. In God eyes, giving with this sort of mentality is as bad as spending all your money in pleasures. Simply because at the end of the day you are spending it all on yourself.

The standard for giving in the Bible shifted from the law (in the Old Testament) that demanded 10%, to the Cross that compels you to give 100%. In fact, “tithing” in the New Testament represents stinginess (Mark 12: 38-44). In the economy of the Gospel there’s no 10% only 100%. It’s either all or nothing! On the Cross, Jesus did not give of himself partially to us but fully. Giving for the Christian should always imply in sacrifice. If your giving doesn’t deprive you of some comforts and securities, you should reevaluate how much to give so that it reflects what Christ has done for you and your adherence to him as a disciple.

What should I expect after I give?

Because the basic default mode of the human heart is rooted in a merit/ reward system it’s natural that we expect a reward and feel the need to be recognized whenever we give. Reward and recognition are not bad things. It’s the job of church leaders to recognize so that it encourages generosity but, not your job to pursue it. The lack thereof shouldn’t determine if you give. Our reward has already been given undeservingly and in advance by Christ on the Cross and in the Grave. The knowledge of such a reward should be enough to produce everlasting joy and content because our recognition comes not from what we are able to accomplish for God but on what Christ has accomplished to God on our behalf. Bottom line is, in Christ I’m always a beloved child in which the Father is forever pleased, and that should be enough recognition and reward.

That is not to say however that you should not expect your local church to be held accountable for the way they steward the Gospel’s resources. After all, you are a member of the body and “God’s fellow workers, God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor 3:9). Expect them to publish reports and that in it, it is clear that the resources are being used wisely for the glory of God (not the glory of men) in the world.

How should all this then influence my culture of generosity?

1. Repent daily for believing that the main source of all your “blessedness” is anything other than the Grace of God.
2. Find through much prayer (with your spouse if you have one) a good balance in your budget so that you’re able to meet the needs of your family, enjoy what God has materially given you and, ultimately that you’re able to give so that others are changed by the Gospel through word and deed. All of it, of course, without accumulating debt.
3. Christians are taught to examine themselves in worship whether it’s taking communion or offering (1 Cor 11:28, Matt 5:24). So before you give again examine your motivation for giving. Is it flowing from a heart that’s been struck by the awesomeness of the Gospel?
4. Ask: Is there any comfort or security that I can cut into so, that I give more for Grace’s purpose?
5. Treat your giving not just as an individual expression of the Gospel but as corporate expression of the Church of Jesus in mission. Trust that God has placed you in a specific local church to do his work through it for a particular region and that, he has placed capable leaders in that community to steward the resources for the good of the Gospel. Pray that your local church would exercise wise stewardship of the resources they are entrusted with.
6. Is there joy before and after you give? If not, go over the whole list again