There’s something that needs to be said, and I’m going to say it plainly:
If your understanding of giving is based on the idea that “if I give, God has to bless me,” you don’t have faith—you have a formula.
And formulas don’t honor God. Faith does.
Now don’t get me wrong. This isn’t some rant against generosity or helping fund the work of the church. Far from it. Giving is a beautiful, biblical, Spirit-led response to the love of Christ and the mission of the Gospel. And you need to support your church and God’s ministry.
But what we’ve done in modern Christianity—especially in prosperity-heavy, emotionally-charged, tithe-preaching churches—is we’ve flipped the whole thing upside down. We’ve turned worship into investment. Offerings into transactions. Generosity into manipulation.
And the worst part?
We’ve made people feel guilty if they don’t give—and entitled if they do.
Let’s Talk Tithing
Tithing. That word alone has launched a thousand sermons and built a thousand buildings. And for many, it’s been the single measuring stick for “faithfulness” in church.
But here’s the truth: Tithing is Old Covenant law.
Not a single New Testament church was instructed to tithe. Not one. Paul, who wrote most of the letters to the early churches, had plenty of opportunity to preach tithing—but he never once did.
Instead, what you do find in the New Testament is this:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7
Giving is supposed to be joyful, voluntary, and Spirit-led.
Not demanded.
Not guilt-driven.
Not packaged like a holy lottery ticket.
And yet, churches still hold up Malachi 3:10 like it’s a divine ATM instruction manual: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… and see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you…”
Let’s pause there.
Malachi was speaking to Israel under Old Covenant law regarding temple provision, Levite support, and covenantal discipline. It’s not a universal, eternal command for Christians—and it’s not an investment strategy.
When we teach it that way, we’re doing two dangerous things:
- We’re putting people back under the law Christ fulfilled.
- We’re setting them up to resent God if the “return” doesn’t come.
Faithfulness Isn’t Measured in Dollar Signs
Let me be very clear: God is not waiting to see if you “prove your faith” by giving a certain percentage. He sees your heart, not your calculator.
That single mom giving five dollars in worship and trusting God for groceries is not less faithful than a businessman who drops in five hundred and expects a double return.
If you give generously while expecting a financial blessing in return, you’re not giving to God—you’re trying to buy favor.
And God cannot be bought.
In Acts 8, a man named Simon tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter didn’t say, “Sow a bigger seed and let’s see what happens.” He said, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” (Acts 8:20)
That should make some modern pastors tremble.
God’s Blessing Is About Provision—Not Prosperity
God does bless His people. And yes, He may even bless you financially. But don’t get it twisted—money is never the measure of God’s favor.
Look at Jesus. Homeless. Poor. Dependent on others for lodging and meals.
Look at Paul. Imprisoned. Beaten. Shipwrecked. Often hungry.
Look at the early church. Scattered. Persecuted. Many lived in deep poverty.
Were they cursed? Lacking faith? Failing to tithe?
No—they were walking exactly where God called them.
God promises to supply your needs, not your wants. Philippians 4:19 doesn’t say He’ll give you a yacht—it says He’ll meet your needs “according to His riches in glory.”
It’s not about your paycheck. It’s about your purpose.
And sometimes God provides through discipline, through seasons of lack, through pruning—not through abundance.
Real Stewardship Is Simple
Let’s break it down. You want biblical finance? Here’s what it looks like:
- Be a faithful steward – “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)
Manage what you have with integrity. Don’t waste. Don’t hoard. Don’t idolize. - Work hard and honestly – “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
Your job is a ministry opportunity. How you work reflects your character. - Be content – “If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)
Stop chasing the next thing. Peace isn’t in your possessions. - Give freely and cheerfully – “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Give because you love the Lord and want to support the work of His kingdom—not because someone dangled a carrot in front of you. - Trust God to sustain you – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
When you live for God, you don’t have to worry about survival. He sees. He provides.
A Word to the Church
If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or someone discipling others, don’t manipulate people with money.
Don’t tie God’s faithfulness to their donations. Don’t make them feel like God’s favor has a price tag.
That’s not shepherding. That’s scamming.
We’re not in the business of building empires—we’re in the mission of building disciples. And disciples don’t give because they want more—they give because they’ve already received everything in Christ.
And if you’re someone who’s been burned by this kind of teaching—someone who gave and gave and felt like it was never enough—hear me clearly:
You are not defined by what you give. You are defined by the One who gave everything for you.
Jesus paid the full price. You don’t need to buy your blessing. You already have access to the throne of grace.
So give.
But give with joy.
Give with purpose.
Give from the overflow of a heart that knows it is loved.
Not because you were manipulated.
Not because you were scared.
Not because you were promised something in return.
Because Jesus gave everything for you.