Giving with a Joyful Heart

As an investment and financial professional, I often have friends, family, or acquaintances pull me aside to talk money. We dive deep into the weeds: Will gold keep rising? Is the stock market overvalued? Can you help me trade options?

These are valid questions and interesting topics. But there’s one “investment” that consistently yields the highest return: giving.

Some say the Bible doesn’t require giving. True, it is not in the Ten Commandments, because that is not how God wants giving to be. Giving isn’t about legal obligation or earning God’s favor. It’s about a heart response to His generosity.

Jane and I have been tithing for many years. There were seasons when we sensed God’s protection and provision tied to our consistency. But over time, we realized we were missing the deeper point. God doesn’t wait for our tithe before protecting us. He already does. He is our loving Father. A good earthly dad doesn’t demand payment before shielding his children. Our Heavenly Father is infinitely better.

We went through a long and very difficult financial season. Imagine raising six kids on a single clerk’s salary. That’s us for almost two decades. Our family is precious to us. Through it all we love one another above anything. But for years we barely had money for basics like oil or salt. The kids would play hide-and-seek inside the empty fridge because it was so bare. We were tithers through it all.

Recently, a friend shared his “secret” to financial success. He wasn’t the first to tell me this, but when the student is ready, the teacher appears. He recounted a time the Holy Spirit prompted him to give away a large sum so large his accountant protested against it. Two years later, his business weathered every storm in the economy, emerged stronger, and revenue poured in.

In the same vein, around the same time, my boss and mentor shared a similar story: prompted to give anonymously a six-figure gift to a children’s worship choir out of nowhere at a concert. He did kind of questioned that at first. But none the less he gave generously and cheerfully. Soon after that, his revenue grew dramatically.

These aren’t just coincidences. The real “secret” is obedience to the Lord with our money beyond tithing, responding to His specific nudges.

Scripture puts it this way:

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

And in Malachi, God invites us to test Him:

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

— Malachi 3:10 (ESV)

Beyond financial blessings and a sense of safety from above, there’s an unspeakable joy when we give above and beyond to help someone. It’s almost addictive. It is like saying, “Let’s see what God will do here,” or anonymously telling someone, “See how much God loves you.”

We all go through financial seasons: lean times and abundance. But giving with a joyful, compassionate heart is never out of season.

Today, let go of the tight grip on your finances. Invite Jesus into that area of your heart. Ask Him to bless you so you can be a blessing. Most important of all, follow his prompting and not guilt or obligation.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:19 (ESV)