There are levels to Christian giving and, as a disciple, I must give on a disciple’s level. The minimum level of giving is the tithe (Matthew 23:23). This is the obligatory gift, the amount I owe God, and the refusal to return this to God is theft (Malachi 3:8).
The second level of giving is the “offering” (Exodus 25:2, KJV). The offering is in addition to the tithe and designed for a special purpose. It can be a simple thank offering to the Lord or a generous gift or whatever.
The third and highest level of giving is giving “bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Rees Howells called this “princely giving.” It is the kind of giving Jesus called the disciples’ attention to when they watched the widow give her mite; it was “all her living” (Mark 12:44, KJV). This kind of giving recognizes a fundamental principle in our relationship to God, the principle of the “new tenant.” Once we commit ourselves totally to God, the new tenant takes over and thereafter He dictates policy, even down to the way we are to spend our money. Or really, His money. We do not use our money unless we first have given Him a requisition.
Bountiful giving is always connected with ministry. It is the material expression of God’s overflowing love through us to others. It is the substance that tangibly reminds people that God is alive and He cares. As a disciple I must put my bank account as well as my talents in God’s hands. Once in His hands, I must let Him draw as much as He wants; then I stand back and watch Him refill richly what He has taken away. You “will glorify God … for the liberality of your contribution … to all … because of the surpassing grace of God in you” (2 Corinthians 9:13–14).
“As it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack’” (2 Corinthians 8:15).
Daily with the King 