| I like your post. As a Christian myself, I've always found it likewise fascinating. God's teachings on money are sprinkled throughout scripture. You are right: God expects us to give from what He provides us with. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:24-25 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
Proverbs 16:8 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Proverbs 22:16 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.
Proverbs 23:4 Basically, the concept of sacrificial giving is that it does hurt to give it. Jesus made it clear that giving from your surplus is fairly meaningless. Trusting in God and being obedient are what He expects. When you feel led to give, give. The more you sow, the more you reap. But Jesus is very plain in telling us to give in secret so as to please God. Men you give in public to be seen and approved by men is wrong. Tithing is something that is largely forgotten in the post-Christian world we now find ourselves in. Peace. |
That's simply not true. The 2016 World Giving Index[1] shows that their three measures of charity have all increased over time, including financial donations (page 16). Many of the top ten countries for percentage who donate money have had decreased religiosity (page 21).
1: https://www.cafonline.org/docs/default-source/about-us-publi...