Let’s face it. Being financially generous is a struggle, and fungibility is why. Follow me here: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fungibility as “being of such in nature as to be freely exchangeable.” What is money but green pieces of paper or electronic data on our banking app? Its real value lies in its fungibility—the fact that it is freely exchangeable for almost anything we desire. And that is why what we do with the money we have so quickly reveals what’s going on in our hearts.
I’ve had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ for 38 years now, and in that time, I’ve seen financial feast and famine. In that time I have given well and given poorly, given generously and given begrudgingly, given wisely and yes, given stupidly. I’ve been haughty, and I’ve been humbled. I don’t know why we would expect our giving, which reflects our heart, would be any different than many other aspects of our spiritual lives. Sanctification is a process and it is full of fits and starts, justice and mercy. But through all that, I can declare one thing. God is faithful! Do all things go smoothly? No. But God is faithful. Are there struggles and sacrifices and gut-wrenching decisions at times? Yes. But God is faithful. Is there trusting God when we have no idea where He is taking us? Yes. But God is faithful. Looking back on 38 years, I’d have to say my biggest insight is that through it all, there has been an ever-present tension. A healthy tension but nonetheless a tension. Every dollar represents a choice, a responsibility, and an opportunity.
And that is why my sincere hope for all of us is that when it comes to giving to God through Veritas Church, we experience tension. Everyone pretty much understands that even while knowing Jesus and with God’s Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we still struggle with sin. And therefore we have many healthy tensions in the Christian life. The absence of tension may mean we have, knowingly or unknowingly, surrendered to sin. For each of us, there seem to be areas where it’s easy to obey and areas where we really struggle. But I don’t know anyone who is giving well and doesn’t have a healthy tension.
Let’s look at a couple of pretty typical situations. Let’s say you’re just trying to make ends meet. Maybe you’re loaded down with student loan debt. Maybe you have several kids, and we all know that kids are expensive. Worth every penny but nonetheless expensive. In these situations, it may be easy to say, “I’ll take a pass for now.” And give nothing. If that’s your situation, I’m hoping you’ll feel the tension to give something, no matter how small. The New Testament account of the widow's contribution of two small coins in Luke 21 shows us that everyone has some capacity to give and should also be a source of great encouragement as there Jesus shows us that even the smallest gifts, when given out of difficult circumstances, are huge in God’s eyes.
The other end of the spectrum is where you may have been blessed with meaningful wealth. Perhaps you have saved well in your retirement plan at work, possibly received an inheritance, or may have new sources of income such as Social Security and/or a pension. For many in these circumstances giving at the ten percent or tithe level can be done with no meaningful impact on their lifestyle and without any tension. Therefore, the temptation is to check the box of the traditional 10% tithe and move on. But if that’s you, my hope is that you feel tension. Tension to consider what God might do in the church and just as importantly, in you, if you considered giving according to your abilities and embraced that healthy tension. In Luke 12, Jesus tells a parable of the rich fool who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God. This is meant to serve as a warning not to devote our lives to simply accumulating wealth but to see the greater opportunity to bless others and build God’s kingdom (not our own version) with what he gives to us.
Scripture is full of references to the type of giving referenced in both these situations above, often called “ability giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:12, Acts 11:29-30, Exodus 35:5, 1 Chronicles 29:2, and Deuteronomy 16:16-17 are just a few of the many verses that refer to ability giving. This concept is fleshed out more in my second favorite book on giving, “Plastic Donuts” written by my friend Jeff Anderson. It’s a great short read that has brought much clarity to my giving.
Thoughtfully review your giving practices, and as you do, I hope you’ll feel and embrace the tension. And in that, may God be glorified, and may you continue to grow!
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Lance is a Member of Veritas Church and a Certified Financial Planner with 30 years of experience in the financial sector.