This is a three part series covering 15 myths about giving and church. Last week we looked at the first five: it’s my money; I’m too poor to give; I don’t give, but I serve; my church doesn’t need my money; and giving ends at 10%. This week we will cover five more myths about giving and the church.

#1 Money is Evil Anyway

Some people say they don’t want to give money to the church because money is evil anyway. This is one of the most taken out of context verses in the Bible. In I Timothy 6:10a, “for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” It’s not money that’s the problem, it’s the love of it. Ironically, those who don’t give because they believe money is evil, actually fall into the trap of this sin.

#2 I Can Give What I Have Left Over

Some people get their paycheck, pay their bills, go out to eat, get groceries, and then toss in the plate whatever they have left over at the end of the week. Scripture teaches that giving is a firstfruits principle. This means you don’t give God your last and leftovers, you give Him your first and best. Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.”

#3 God Knows My Heart

Some Christians don’t give, or don’t give generously in church, and then say, “Well, you know God knows my heart.” If a parent was not feeding a child, and spending all their money on themselves, but told you, “My kids know my heart,” what would you think? Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

#4 I’ll Give When I Make More

Some people have themselves convinced that, while they don’t give now, they will give when they make more. This is deceptive thinking and rarely happens. If you have yourself trained to think that giving is for the rich, you will never do so. Give what you have when you make less, and it will be much easier to give when you make more.

#5 I Need to Take Care of My Family First

This one sounds very spiritualized. As we have already looked at, God calls us first and foremost to give to Him. He then says He will take care of our needs. We need to put God first, and our families second.

What myth about giving keeps you from giving to God and being generous? Is there another myth that hasn’t been covered that keeps you from giving? Do you give to God His way, like is found in Scripture, or your way?

Thanks for taking time to read this Maddening Theology post. If you enjoyed this content you can find Pastor Tim’s sermons at www.cornerstoneforestcity.org. You can also join us at 520 Marion St. Browndale, PA 18421 on Sundays at 10 AM. To make following the blog easier you can also register. You can also join us on Facebook at Cornerstone Forest City. Also, don’t forget to download our APP on iTunes  or Googleplay.