Beyond Tithing: Christian Financial Advisors on Generous Living in All Aspects of Finance

In a culture obsessed with accumulation, Christ calls us to a radically different path - one of outrageous, sacrificial generosity. That generosity goes far beyond the ten percent tithe you might be familiar with.

The apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of this generous life in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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 isn't just about grudgingly writing a check to your local church. It’s about becoming more like Jesus, reflecting God’s generosity in all areas of your lives.

Tithing to the local church is often the first (and sometimes only) thing that comes to mind when we think about financial generosity, but God’s desire for us to be generous is far less prescriptive and more radical. Ready to explore what that looks like? Let's dive in.

The Role of Christian Financial Advisors in Promoting Generous Living

Unlike traditional financial advisors who may focus solely on wealth accumulation, Christian financial advisors view wealth through the lens of biblical stewardship.

At Peak Financial Management, we believe that true financial health shouldn’t be measured by net worth, but by how well we live out the timeless wisdom of Scripture. 

Our team of Certified Kingdom Advisors® (CKA®) is equipped to help you navigate the world of finance through a scriptural lens and align your financial strategy with biblical principles. This includes counseling clients on biblical generosity and helping them strategically plan their giving to be as efficient as possible. 

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Understanding Tithing in Modern Context

Some believe tithing is a strict rule that guarantees financial blessing, while others see it as an Old Testament law that doesn’t apply anymore. While many Christians still practice tithing, it's important to understand its context and implications for followers of Jesus today.

The Origins of Tithing

Tithing, the practice of giving one-tenth of one's income to God, has roots back to the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob. In Genesis, Abraham gives one-tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20) and Jacob promises to give God one-tenth of everything God gives him (Genesis 28:22).

While these are the first references in Scripture to giving one-tenth of one’s wealth or income to God, it’s important to understand that they are not a direct command for Christians to tithe to the local church.

Tithing in Mosaic Law 

The Mosaic law seems to require four tithes of the Israelites*:

1. The Tithe: A tithe from all Israelites (other than the Levites) to support the Levites since they did not receive land in Israel. – Numbers 18:20-24
2. The Tithe of the Tithe: A tithe the Levites gave to the priests from the tithes they received. – Numbers 18:25-32
3. The Festival Tithe: A tithe for the Israelites to consume during festivals. - Deuteronomy 12:5-7, 14:22-27
4. The Welfare Tithe: A tithe once every three years to support foreigners, widows, and orphans. - Deuteronomy 14:28-29

When totaled these tithes would have likely equaled around 23.34% of an Israelites income per year, not just 10%. In addition, Israelites could give above and beyond these tithes through freewill offerings (Numbers 15:1-10).

Similar to the tithes of Abraham and Jacob, the tithes commanded in the Mosaic law are not direct commands for New Covenant, Gentile Christians to give 10% of their income to the local church. However, both of these examples of Old Testament tithing do reveal God’s desire for His people to reflect His generosity through financial giving.

*Note: Titles for the tithes have been added for clarity

Tithing in the New Testament 

There is no direct command in the New Testament for Christians to give 10% of their income to the local church. However, some argue that when Jesus chastised the Pharisees for neglecting the weightier matters of the law, while scrupulously observing the lesser matters, He also taught His followers to tithe. Let’s look at the verses:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” – Matthew 23:23 NIV

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“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” – Luke 11:42 NIV

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So, it’s true that Jesus affirmed tithing was right for the Pharisees. However, it’s important to understand the context and time in history that Jesus was speaking. The Pharisees were Jews living in Israel under the Old Covenant. Jesus was born “under the law” (Galatians 4:4-5) and the New Covenant was not established until His death on the cross (Luke 22:20). As such, the Pharisees (and the other Jews listening to Jesus make this statement) were expected to follow the Mosaic Law which included the tithes described above. 

This, however, was not a command to His followers living under the New Covenant to tithe to the local church.

To Tithe or Not to Tithe?

The New Testament does not directly command Christians to tithe to the local church, but through His Word, God implores us to be generous. While tithing isn’t required for Christians, we shouldn’t take that as an excuse to be stingy. Instead, shouldn’t we who have been recipients of the overwhelming generosity of God in Jesus Christ be eager to give generously as a result? 

This leads us to ask, how much should Christians give? There’s no formula. Giving should not be legalistic, but done joyfully, as an act of worship, springing out of our love for God and gratefulness for all He has given us. 

As you think and pray about how much you should give, consider the following principles, teachings, and examples from Scripture.

Generosity in the New Testament

• Christians are called to give generously – Luke 6:30, Hebrews 13:16, Luke 12:33-34
• Give systematically – 1 Corinthians 16:2
• Give according to your means – 1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 8:12
• Give cheerfully, not out of compulsion – 2 Corinthians 9:7
• Share with those who teach you the Word – Galatians 6:6
• Giving is rewarded by God – Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Timothy 6:18-19
• Do not give to get recognition from others – Matthew 6:1-4
• Our hearts follow our money, and our money follows our hearts – Matthew 6:21

Examples of Radical Generosity in the New Testament

• The Macedonian Church – 2 Corinthians 8:2-5
• The Jerusalem Church – Acts 2:44-47
• Barnabas Sells His Field – Acts 4:32-37
• The Loaves and Fish – John 6:5-13
• The Widow’s Mites – Mark 12:41-44
• Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet – John 12:1-9
• Joseph of Arimathea – Matthew 27:57-60

Moving Beyond Tithing: A Holistic Approach to Generous Living

Tithing is just one aspect of generous living. It can be a helpful starting point, but not the end goal. As 1 Timothy 6:17-19 reminds us, we are to "do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

Let’s explore ways to live generously that go beyond tithing.

Generous Spending

Generosity isn't just about how much we give away—it's also about how we spend. This might mean supporting businesses that align with your values or being mindful of ethical considerations in your consumption habits.

For instance, you might choose to buy fair trade products or support local businesses that give back to the community. These choices may seem small, but they're part of a larger pattern of generous living that reflects Christ's teachings.

Generous Saving

At first glance, saving might not seem connected to generosity. However, by building a robust emergency fund and saving wisely, you're not just protecting yourself—you're creating capacity to help others in times of need.

Imagine being able to assist a friend facing unexpected medical bills or contribute to disaster relief efforts because you've been intentional about saving. This is generous living in action.

Generous Investing

Investing can have just as much impact as charitable giving. Businesses have a tremendous influence on people’s lives and investors influence businesses. Instead of viewing money in two buckets – charitable and profitable – what if we view all of our money as a tool to help us glorify God? Here are some ways Christian investors can make an impact.

• Portfolio Screening – avoid companies doing harm and support companies that promote human flourishing.
• Shareholder Engagement – stewarding ownership through proxy voting and proposals to influence a company’s operations and decisions.
• Impact Investing – investing in private companies, startups, or real estate deals that will have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Generous Business

If you own or manage a business you have an opportunity to impact the lives of stakeholders through generosity. This goes beyond giving away some profits (but that’s great too!). Ask yourself, “How could I be radically generous in the way I treat my employees, customers, suppliers, and community?” 

This requires that we evaluate our view of business compared to what Scripture teaches. The world tells us that you win in business at others’ expense; everything is a zero-sum game. This is a scarcity mindset. But we believe that the Bible teaches an abundance mindset: There’s more than enough for everyone; God has promised to provide everything I need, so I can give lavishly without fear (see Genesis 13, Leviticus 19:9-10, Proverbs 11:24, Matthew 6:25-34, 14:13-20, 15:29-39, Philippians 4:19). There’s even research that suggests companies who treat stakeholders well do better financially!

Check out this article: When Employees Thrive, Companies More Than Triple Their Stock Market Performance. 

Generous Estate Planning

Ron Blue said, “The last stewardship decision I get to make is, “Where does this wealth go?” 

Estate planning is an often overlooked area of generous living. Think beyond your lifetime and consider how your financial legacy can continue to serve God's Kingdom.

This might involve setting up charitable trusts, planning significant gifts to ministries or nonprofits, or training heirs in biblical stewardship so they understand the importance of generosity. By incorporating generosity into your estate plan, you can impact future generations and extend the impact of your stewardship.

Practical Steps to Cultivate a Generous Lifestyle

Cultivating a generous lifestyle doesn't happen overnight—it's a journey. Here are some practical steps to consider as you seek to grow in generosity:

1. Budget for Generosity First: Decide how much you are going to give and then make giving the first category in your budget.
2. Practice Spontaneous Giving: Keep “giving fund” in your budget for spontaneous acts of kindness or to meet needs as you encounter them.
3. Automate Your Giving: If you struggle to be consistent with your giving, then consider setting up automatic transfers to your church or favorite charities. This will keep your giving steady even when life gets busy.
4. Give Your Time and Talents: Remember that generosity isn't just about money. Look for ways to serve others with your skills and time.
5. Educate Yourself: Learn about the causes you support and the impact of your giving. This can help you give more strategically and joyfully.
6. Involve Your Family: Make generosity a family value by involving your children or spouse in giving decisions.
7. Give Assets Not Just Cash: Around 90% of wealth in the US is non-cash but around 75% of giving is done with cash¹. You likely have more capacity to give when you consider total wealth and not just cash.

The Impact of Generous Living

The impact of generous living extends far beyond your bank account. As you embrace a lifestyle of generosity, you'll likely experience personal spiritual growth.

Moreover, your generosity can have a profound impact on your community and even globally. Whether you're supporting local ministries, funding missionary work, contributing to disaster relief efforts, or funding Christian entrepreneurs through impact investing, your generosity can change lives and spread the love of Christ.

Conclusion

Our goal at Peak Financial Management is to guide you to the true peak of financial health—a place where you're not just financially secure, but where you're using your resources to actively serve God's kingdom.

Remember, generous living is about more than just writing checks or dropping money in an offering plate. It's a holistic approach to finances that infuses every aspect of your financial life—spending, saving, investing, and planning—with the spirit of generosity.

We encourage you to take the next step in your journey of generous living. Whether you're just starting to think about how your faith intersects with your finances, or you're looking to take your generosity to the next level, we're here to help.

Consider scheduling a consultation with one of our Christian financial advisors at Peak Financial Management. We'd be honored to partner with you in creating a financial strategy that aligns with your faith and empowers you to live generously in all aspects of your financial life.

Are you ready to experience the joy and impact of truly generous living? Let's start this journey together.

Additional Resources

• Biblical References: For further study on generosity and stewardship, we recommend exploring Proverbs 11:24-25, Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35, 2 Corinthians 8-9, Leviticus 19:9-10
• Recommended Reading: "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn, Eternal Perspective Ministries Blog
• Next Steps: To schedule a consultation with a Christian financial advisor at Peak Financial Management, Click Here or call us at (303) 255-2252. Let's work together to align your finances with your faith and cultivate a life of true generosity.
• Videos: https://generousgiving.org/