How the Gospel Shapes our Giving
Religion (or moralism) and social values can change our behavior toward money and possession (mammon). But only Jesus reshapes our relationship with mammon. Only Jesus transforms the way we view and relate to what we own. Specifically we can see a few ways the gospel rearranges our relationship with mammon, empowering us to live with supernatural generosity.
First, the gospel teaches us that God owns everything.
There is a misnomer about tithing. Many believe and even teach that if and when we give God ten percent, then the other ninety is for you to do with as you please. Professor Craig Blomberg calls this the "mine mentality" (Ten Percent Won't Work for Everyone). The Scriptures teach us something very different: everything we have belongs to the Lord. The beginning of Genesis teaches us that we're supposed to be stewards of the entirety of creation (see also 1 Peter 4:10). We have what the writer calls "dominion" over God's creation (see Genesis 1:26, 28). But our stewardship and dominion are not a change of ownership. The psalmist says, "The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1a) Everything in this world belongs to God. Everything in your bank account belongs to God. Everything in your home belongs to God. Everything in your storage unit belongs to God. Everything you still keep at your parent's house belongs to God. And God does not want you to tip him from your possessions. He calls us to offer our whole self as living sacrifices and serve him, not mammon. This is not natural, but the gospel empowers you to live supernaturally.
Second, the gospel teach us that we're always in need.
Usually we think the more we have the less need we have. To be sure there's a degree of truth to this. Money can alleviate many forms of sufferings and challenges we might otherwise face. But when we know the gospel, when we know the truth of our sin and the beauty of the cross ... mammon never makes you feel safe because your real need is never only physical nor financial. That means no matter how much we have we always have great need. This should keep us humble and not haughty toward those who have different needs than we do. It's like when Jesus spoke with a rich young man. The man had followed all the religious laws his whole life, but still lacked something. Jesus said, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). For those who know the story, you know the man was saddened by this teaching because, Matthew tells us, "he had great possessions." You see? His moral beliefs changed his behaviors with money but it did not and could not change his relationship with money. He was too dependent on his stuff. He served his stuff and trusted his money and loved his possessions. We're always in need. We're weak. We're dependent. This is not natural, but the gospel empowers you to live supernaturally.
Thirdly, the gospel teaches us that what we own can't fix us.
Money and possessions never meet our ultimate need. In fact, more times than not mammon exposes our need. That's what James warned his readers. Meet me in James 5:1. Rich land owners had withheld wages from their workers in order to garner more safety and security for themselves. James says, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” (James 5:1-6). You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. Mammon does not silence fear. It often causes anxiety. Mammon does not make you safe. It regularly reveals our spiritual vulnerabilities. Mammon does not make you happy. It often reveals our need for real joy. This is not natural, but the gospel empowers you to live supernaturally.
Generosity meets the needs of saints and strangers (see Romans 12:13). But generosity is not natural to us. We may learn the new habits of a particular religion or social value system, but only Christ transforms us. Through Christ we are freed from the shackles of mammon and made worshippers who serve God, strangers who have been made saints.
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**Adapted from the sermon, “Contribute and Show Hospitality” from Romans 12:13.
