... It's my money. I earned it.
In a world that is rich and abundant, God's blessings include the talents, skills, opportunities, and strengths that enable you to provide for your own needs and those of others. All that you have comes first from the Lord.
In much the same way as He sends the sun and the rain to provide for your needs, He entrusts you as a steward of all earthly things. There is great opportunity and joy in managing His wealth wisely using Christ as the ultimate model for selfless generosity.
... I am up to my ears in debt. I cannot give now.
God knows exactly what brought debt into your life, and His desire for you to be liberated from its burden is even greater than your own. As you work to repay creditors, trust God to guide you; listen for His voice. When He leads you to give, recognize that He does not want you to be deprived of the joy that comes with generosity.
The Bible tells all Christians to give to God from their "first fruits" (Proverbs 3:9). As Larry Burkett, one of the founders of Crown Ministries has said, the first check you write belongs to the Lord and no one else, not even a creditor. God's grace is sufficient to allow you to be obedient to Him, and to give generously, even during times of debt.
... I would like to give, but my spouse does not share my desire to give.
Generosity and marital unity are both precious biblical values in God's eyes. He longs to see you demonstrate both and would not expect you to sacrifice one in pursuit of the other.
Honor your spouse and honor your marriage, knowing that there is no challenge within a marriage that God cannot resolve, no distance He cannot bridge. Prayerfully and patiently, allow your faith to be reaffirmed. Give individually in ways that will not challenge your marriage, and then wholly trust God's grace to bring you and your spouse together to experience the immense joys of giving generously as a couple.
... I already tithe; that's all God requires me to give.
The Old Testament calls for obedient tithing, but God's gift of His Son changed everything–a hinge point that took Christians from a relationship bound by rules and obligations into a new life, boundless with blessings and opportunities.
With the resurrection of Christ, the tithe ceases to be a finish line, and becomes an amazing starting point for faith lived out as generosity.
... Giving would be bad stewardship, if it chipped away at my investments; depleted my savings; or subjected me to tax liability.
God wants His children to be good stewards, which can certainly include wise and prudent decision-making in financial matters. But God also calls on Christians to be Godly stewards, using the lessons of selfless love and amazing generosity that Christ demonstrated in His Life and in His Death.
When you follow God's guidance to give generously, you place God's Word ahead of earthly concern for security and daily life. Passion triumphs over prudence as you dare to walk the path of reckless generosity that is guaranteed to lead you closer to God.
... I don't agree with how my church might spend the money.
You may sometimes disagree with others in your church about how money is utilized. You can react to this by simply trusting God to lead your church leaders in accordance with His will. You can also pray for your own discernment and for that of others. You can even choose to leave your church and be a part of one where you are more comfortable with the way money is handled.
... Yet what you cannot do is allow the decisions and actions of others to become an excuse for your own failure to live and act generously. The local church is a first-priority for Christian giving. Find a place to worship where you can give joyfully and confidently.
