Financial success is a common goal. Everyone wants this, but we don’t always realize how the methods we use determines our results. The world depends on self-effort; by contrast, as believers, we stand on God’s promise to release grace on our financial dealings when we trust Him. God wants to bless us in all areas; trusting in His promises moves us into a position to receive good things from Him.
God knows how money can influence us, which is why He can use this to gauge our level of trust in Him. Giving willingly is one example; it’s an expression that we trust more in God than in money. Paul devoted considerable time to teaching about the link between grace and finances. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7).
A worldly mindset makes us afraid to give, because it’s influenced by traditional religious thinking. However, God’s not after our money. He has everything He needs; He wants to give to us, not take from us. Being a deliberate and intentional giver puts us in agreement with Him. “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38, NLT).
An understanding of grace enables us to give regardless of what is going on with our bank account. God wants us to rely on Him in our finances; when Jesus was watching the treasury and saw a poor widow give all she had, He remarked on her trust (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). When God showed grace to the churches at Macedonia, not even their own poverty could stop them from giving generously (2 Corinthians 8:1-15).
To be generous givers, we don’t have to be wealthy according to the world’s standards. What was true under the law is no longer true under grace, including the type of financial giving that pleases God. Paul taught the concept of proportional giving, which is radically different than Old-Testament tithing requirements. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…” (1 Corinthians 16:2). We’re not the source of our own prosperity.
Giving keeps us out of self-centeredness by refocusing our attention from ourselves to God. Financial blessings from Him have already been made available through the finished works of Jesus, and aren’t linked to our own works. “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). We don’t get blessed just because we give; we give out of thankfulness for already having been blessed.
When our hearts are willing to give, what we don’t have won’t matter. God will honor our faith in Him, and His grace will show up and provide everything we need. We have His promise that He’ll take care of us. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Our money can’t buy God’s favor, but our trust is the currency of the kingdom of God that allows Him to show us abundant grace.