Excuses and Barriers

27 October 2014

EXCUSES AND BARRIERS

http://www.generousgiving.org/excuses-barriers#

 

The joy of generosity can be eclipsed by uncertainty when discussions turn to money, possessions, stewardship, and giving. Below are thoughtful and eye-opening clarifications that address frequently used excuses, which might become barriers in your relationship with God.

 

1. My giving is a private matter between God and me, no one else.

 

2. The Bible is about religious and moral issues, and not about money at all, let alone charitable giving.

 

3. The Bible commands us to give in secret, so we shouldn’t be talking about this.

 

4. The tithe does not apply to Christians today, only to Old Testament Israel.

 

5. Christians are under grace, not under law, so the obligation to give does not apply to me.

 

6. The Bible says that each man should give what he has decided in his own heart to give. So I am free to give as much or as little as I choose, even not at all.

 

7. I’m saved, so it doesn’t matter how much I give, or even whether I give at all.

 

8. God loves a cheerful giver, but I am not cheerful about giving, so it’s better not to give at all.

 

9. I don’t owe God anything.

 

10. I don’t owe my church anything.

 

11. I don’t owe the poor anything.

 

12. If I were to give to the church, it would only contribute further to the greed and corruption among church leaders.

 

13. I don’t have the spiritual gift of giving.

 

14. There’s a good chance my donation would be misappropriated or wasted.

 

15. My donation will only encourage the poor to rely on handouts, rather than earn a living for themselves.

 

16. God doesn’t need my money.

 

17. The church doesn’t need my money.

 

18. I don’t agree with my church’s teachings.

 

19. I’m not going to support my church’s endowment because that money just sits there.

 

20. My pastor ought to get a day job, like the apostle Paul; that’s a more biblical way to minister.

 

21. Money is the root of all evil; it has no place in the church.

 

22. I’m only one person. My gift is no good if no one else is giving.

 

23. I have more than I need. But I am not prepared to live like a pauper.

 

24. I have spent a lifetime securing my financial independence. I can’t throw it all away now.

 

25. I would like to give, but I’d have to work another job or drastically cut back my standard of living.

 

26. We would give, but we are a young couple with no nest egg. (Or) We would like to give. But we are only a few years from retirement, paying for two kids in college, and have very little saved. (Or) Next year I have a promotion coming. We will give then, but right now the budget is pretty tight.

 

27. I’m too young to give; I really just need to focus on being a student.

 

28. I am in the lower or middle income bracket. Giving is really the responsibility of wealthy people.

 

29. I’ll leave some money in my will. But I can’t give right now.

 

30. My financial advisor says I shouldn’t give anything this year.

 

31. I am already a generous person.

 

32. I already tithe out of my paycheck; I can’t afford to tithe out of my gross income.

 

33. I already tithe out of my income; my assets are my safeguard.

 

34. I already gave at the office.

 

35. I don’t give to my church because I already give to another ministry.

 

36. Stewardship is a lot more than money. I give my time and talents by teaching Sunday school and opening my home. I consider that to be my giving.

 

37. I've already given more than enough in the form of taxes.

 

38. As long as I don’t misuse, waste or steal money, it doesn’t matter whether I give.

 

39. I don’t give to the poor because I already give to my church.

 

40. I’ve already maxed out my tax deductions for this year. My gifts won’t count until next year, so I’ll give then.

 

41. Small gifts don’t really matter.

 

42. No one ever seems to appreciate my gift.

 

 

 

When it comes to trusting God and acknowledging Him as provider do you make excuses for not giving or rejoice in all the reaons you have to give to God?  Something to think about.