Can Generosity be Formulaic?

When we look into what Scripture teaches about generosity, it’s easy to ask “So how much do I need to give to in order to be ‘generous’?”

I know I’ve asked myself that question.  Jonathan and I’ve muddled over this one a lot.  Not because we have a lack of clarity in our finances and giving, but because it’s not really cut and dry.  And I think that’s OK.  

Although I’m probably with you Enneagram 1, 3 or 8s, or the Sensing Personalities where I prefer the step-by-step guide to get the task crossed off my list. 

But the fact of the matter is generosity is not formulaic.  It will look different for you and for me.  And we should probably live in and welcome that tension more where we wrestle with “How much should I give away?”.  But more importantly, “How much should I live on?”.

It Begins with Stewardship

It goes back to the original stewardship framework – that God owns it all.  You and I are just His “agents”.  He has entrusted in our care with the time, talents, treasures and temples we have.  And we are going to give an account of how we used and stewarded it one day.

Asking “How much do I need to give away” comes from a heart and mindset that we own what we have.  Consequently, giving a tithe – or so much more – will help us change this perspective.

Have you considered where the tithe originated? Genesis 14 first mentions a tithe where Abraham voluntarily gave 10% of his spoils from a military victory to Melchizedek, the king of Salem.  Later Jacob made a personal vow to give a tenth of all God gave him (Gen. 28:22).  Interestingly, these men were not giving us a “giving guide”.  They just gave out of reverence and thankfulness to God for what He had done.

It’s only later under the Mosaic Law that the specific tenth was commanded by God for the Israelites to support the the Levites, temple work, care for the vulnerable, etc.  Other references of this tithe are mentioned in Leviticus 27, Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 14, and Malachi.

But here’s the thing, the 10% tithe is just a principle. It’s like seems to me like it’s just the starting point to get us going on a much bigger journey, with rewards far beyond what we can imagine!

The New Testament does not give us additional teachings that suggest we give anything less than 10% to the Lord.  If anything, I believe – as seen in the lives of the new Believers in Acts –  they were so overwhelmed by the grace and goodness of the Lord that they gave generously.  And even sacrificially, which was wayyyy beyond just 10%.  I believe the 10% tithe (what Randy Alcorn refers to as “the training wheels” of giving) is only the beginning of generosity for us as transformed Believers. 

Ponder This: “A lack of giving means a lack of Christlikeness.” (Alcorn)

Ephesians 2:10 says “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” And how can this be lived out?

“If you are saved.  If your heart has been transformed.  If you are growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ, more and more we should be confirmed to His image.  More and more we should become generous and sensitive to the needy.”

Randy Alcorn

So, how much do I need to give in order to be “generous”?  

I would answer, how much have you experienced grace of God in your life?  If you’re growing in your walk with the Lord we should muddle over and wrestle with what generosity should look like for us. And perhaps we should shift the question to “how much can I give away to reflect my love for Jesus”?

GenHERus is a conversation on just that.  As Christian moms we can make eternal impact by practicing Biblical generosity in our homes, in our language, and in our parenting. A stewardship mindset should reach into our purses, reorient our priorities, and will consequently mold our hearts, which you can read more about here.

Share this with a mom if this encouraged you today and follow genHERus for more.