Giving can be one of the hardest things for a person to do regardless of their financial position. Yet, the Bible is very clear on how important giving back to the kingdom is, whether that be giving to the Church, charity, or simply those in need. Hebrews 13:16 states, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” We are called to give and not expect in return despite the Lord’s promise of blessing those who do so.

1 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” While the Lord does promise to bless us for having a generous heart, we are not promised financial or tangible blessings. His promises can consist of strength, rest, answered prayers, protection, comfort, peace, and salvation. We all may want these blessings, but some of us may ask, “But how do I become more generous? It is so hard for me to give up what I view as my hard-earned money.” Rest assured, I have a couple steps to help you in this area!

1. Dive into the Word. The Bible has so much to say about money and giving that if you spend time seeking that out, you will likely feel the Lord speak to you regarding this area.
2. Pray. There is no better insight then the insight of our Lord and Savior.
3. Surround yourself with other philanthropically minded people. They can be a strong source of encouragement. By doing so, you can bounce experiences off one another such as giving opportunities as well as ways the Lord has spoken through the giving process. If you surround yourself with givers, it will be much easier to give. But, if you surround yourself with those who keep every cent for themselves, naturally you will be inclined to do the same.
4. Find a church and/or charity that you are genuinely passionate about! The Lord does not say that you must give to a mission by which your heart is not pulled, but make sure to pray about where you are being led to give.
5. Do not compare yourselves to others and what and where they give. Where and how much you give is personal; you and the Lord should be determining that, not others. There is this common belief that we need to be giving 10% of our income. But God doesn’t need the money; He wants your heart! Everyone is in a different boat, and we should not be using comparison when it comes to giving.
6. Make a budget. It will be hard to give if you are not controlling your spending. Giving is typically the first thing to go when finances get tight or when we have an abnormal expense pop up. By making a budget, you will not only be in an overall better financial position to achieve your goals, but you will also be prepared for unexpected circumstances that make you want to remove giving from your monthly expenses. Budgeting will, on paper, make it a priority to give, but also make room in your paycheck to give.

While you might think that NEXUS Peer Coaching is here only to help those in financial need, we are also here to help talk through giving priorities. So, if you need help processing, come on in!