Money can be a tricky topic, especially when it involves the church. How are churches supposed to handle finances, and what guidance does the Bible offer on this? From tithes and offerings to stewardship and integrity, the Bible provides wisdom on how church funds should be managed to honor God. Let’s explore what scripture says about church finances.
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What Does The Bible Say About Church Finances
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of bringing our tithes to the house of God. It is a commandment to faithfully give a portion of our income to support the work of the church. By obeying this commandment, God promises to bless us abundantly.
When we faithfully contribute to church finances, we are participating in God’s plan for the expansion of His kingdom on earth. We are sowing into the spiritual well-being of the congregation and enabling the church to fulfill its mission to reach the lost and care for those in need.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“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.”
This verse encourages us to give cheerfully and willingly, not out of obligation or pressure. Our giving should come from a place of gratitude and love for God, recognizing His blessings in our lives.
When we give with a cheerful heart, it not only pleases God, but it also transforms our attitude towards our finances. It aligns our priorities with God’s kingdom and fosters a spirit of generosity and trust in His provision.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
This verse teaches us to prioritize honoring God with our wealth. By offering the firstfruits of our income to Him, we demonstrate our trust in His provision and acknowledge His ownership over all that we have.
God promises abundant blessings to those who faithfully honor Him with their finances. It is an act of faith that not only enriches our own lives but also enables the church to fulfill its mission and expand God’s kingdom.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
This verse affirms the principle of sowing and reaping. When we give generously, not only financially but also in other areas of our lives, God promises to bless us abundantly and overflowingly.
Our generosity towards church finances allows us to participate in the kingdom work and experience the joy of partnering with God in His mission. As we give, God pours back into our lives His blessings, favor, and provision in ways that exceed our expectations.
1 Chronicles 29:14
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
This verse humbles us and reminds us that all that we have comes from God. Our ability to give generously is a result of His provision and grace in our lives.
Recognizing that we are stewards of God’s resources, we should approach church finances with a posture of gratitude and responsibility. It is an opportunity to honor God and invest in His kingdom, knowing that He is the ultimate source of all blessings.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
This verse highlights the importance of caring for the poor and needy. When we give to church finances, we are also contributing to outreach programs and initiatives that seek to alleviate the suffering of those less fortunate.
God promises to bless and reward those who show kindness and compassion towards the poor. Our generosity towards church finances enables the church to be a channel of God’s love and provision to those in need, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
This verse reminds us of Jesus’ teaching that it is more blessed to give than to receive. By actively participating in church finances, whether through tithes or offerings, we have the privilege of being a blessing to others.
Our generosity not only supports the work of the church but also demonstrates the love of Christ to the world. It is through our giving that we imitate Jesus’ sacrificial love and bring hope and transformation to those around us.
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
This verse highlights the reciprocal nature of generosity. When we generously contribute to church finances, we position ourselves to receive refreshing and abundance from God.
By investing in the work of the church, we become channels of blessing to others. God honors and rewards our heart of generosity, not only financially but also in other areas of our lives, bringing fulfillment and joy as we see lives transformed through our giving.
2 Corinthians 8:3-4
“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.”
This verse showcases the sacrificial giving of the early Christians. They gave not only according to their means but even beyond their ability, driven by a fervent desire to serve and support the church.
Our attitude towards church finances should mirror the eagerness and willingness of these early believers. It is a privilege and honor to be able to contribute to the work of the Lord, and our giving should flow from a heart that is eager to participate in His mission and support His people.
Matthew 6:21
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This verse reminds us that our financial investments reflect the condition of our hearts. When we prioritize giving to church finances, it demonstrates that our hearts are aligned with God’s kingdom and His purposes.
Our generosity towards church finances is an act of worship that reveals our love and devotion to God. It strengthens our relationship with Him and deepens our understanding that true wealth and security are found in Him alone.
Acts 4:32-35
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
This passage depicts the early Christian community, where believers willingly shared their possessions and resources, ensuring that there were no needy individuals among them.
Our contribution to church finances enables the church to function as a spiritual family, supporting one another and meeting the needs of those within the community. It fosters unity and demonstrates the selfless love and care that should characterize the body of Christ.
Luke 12:33
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”
This verse challenges us to reassess our priorities and be willing to sacrificially give up our possessions for the sake of others. It reminds us that true treasure is found in storing up treasures in heaven, not in accumulating earthly wealth.
When we contribute to church finances, we are investing in eternal rewards and participating in God’s work of transforming lives. Our generosity towards the poor and those in need reflects our devotion to Christ and our willingness to share His love with others.
2 Corinthians 8:12
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of a willing heart in giving. It is not the amount of our gift that matters to God, but the attitude behind it.
Our contribution to church finances should be a reflection of our willingness to participate in God’s kingdom work. It is a personal offering from what we have, regardless of the size or value, and is pleasing to God when given with a spirit of generosity and gratitude.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
This verse reminds us that our allegiance cannot be divided between God and money. Our commitment to God’s kingdom should always take precedence over our pursuit of wealth and material possessions.
Contributing to church finances is an act of surrendering our finances to God, acknowledging His lordship over our lives. It requires us to trust in His provision and rely on Him as our ultimate source of security and fulfillment.
Matthew 19:21
“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
This verse challenges us to examine our attachment to material possessions and consider how we can use our resources to help those in need. It is not a call for everyone to sell everything, but rather a reminder of the importance of generosity and serving others.
Contributing to church finances allows us to participate in Jesus’ call to follow Him and prioritize the needs of others above our own. It is an opportunity to lay up treasure in heaven and experience the blessings that come from a life of selfless giving.
Proverbs 28:27
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
This verse warns against neglecting the needs of the poor and the consequences of turning a blind eye to their suffering. God promises to bless those who are generous towards the poor and withhold blessings from those who refuse to help.
When we contribute to church finances, we are actively engaging in acts of compassion and justice for the less fortunate. Our generosity not only brings blessings to others but also invites God’s favor and provision into our own lives.
Deuteronomy 16:17
“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.”
This verse teaches us that our giving should be in proportion to the blessings we have received from God. It calls for a spirit of gratitude and recognition of God’s provision in our lives.
Contributing to church finances requires us to prayerfully consider the resources God has entrusted to us and give accordingly. It is an opportunity to express our thankfulness and acknowledge that everything we have ultimately comes from Him.
2 Corinthians 9:6
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
This verse highlights the principle of sowing and reaping in the context of giving. When we give generously to church finances, we position ourselves to receive abundant blessings from God.
Our generosity not only benefits the work of the church but also opens the door for God’s supernatural provision and favor in our own lives. It is an invitation to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from partnering with God in His mission.
Mark 12:41-44
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
This passage highlights the story of the poor widow who gave sacrificially out of her poverty. Although her monetary value was small, Jesus commended her for giving everything she had.
Contributing to church finances should not be measured by the amount given, but rather by the heart behind the giving. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our trust in God’s provision and our willingness to sacrificially invest in His kingdom.
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
This verse affirms that generous people will be blessed. When we contribute to church finances, it enables the church to extend its reach and provide for those in need.
Our generosity towards the poor through church finances demonstrates our commitment to follow Christ’s example of selflessness and compassion. In blessing others with our resources, we position ourselves to receive blessings from God, both spiritually and materially.
Luke 21:1-4
“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
In this account, Jesus observed the wealthy making large contributions, but He praised the poor widow who gave everything she had. Her sacrificial giving demonstrated her faith and trust in God’s provision.
Contributing to church finances should be motivated by a desire to honor and trust God with our resources. It is not about the amount we give, but rather the heart behind our giving. When we give sacrificially, we imitate the widow’s faith and experience God’s faithfulness in miraculous ways.
Proverbs 21:26
“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
This verse contrasts the attitude of the righteous, who give generously without holding back, with those who are constantly craving for more and seeking to accumulate wealth for themselves.
Contributing to church finances with a generous and selfless heart allows us to break free from the trap of materialism and greed. It is an opportunity to align our lives with God’s purposes, prioritize the needs of others, and find true contentment in giving rather than acquiring.