Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from June 12, 2000

When we let go of money we are letting go of part of ourselves and part of our security. But this is precisely why it is important to do it. It is one way to obey Jesus’ command to deny ourselves. … When we give money we are releasing a little more of our egocentric selves and a little more of our false security. … Giving frees us to care. It produces an air of expectancy as we anticipate what God will lead us to give. It makes life with God an adventure in the world, and that is worth living for and giving for.

Richard J. Foster, The Challenge of the Disciplined Life

Things themselves do not remain, but their effects do. Therefore we should not be mean and calculating with what we have but give with a generous hand. Look at how much people give to players and dancers—why not give just as much to Christ?

John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians

It’s pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty an’ wealth have both failed.

Ken Hubbard, Abe Martin’s Broadcast

People give to achievement and promise and hope, not deficits.

Gibson Burr, Christian Ministry

If you were a jerk before, you’ll be a bigger jerk with a billion dollars.

Warren Buffet, “Does Money Buy Happiness?” in Forbes

It is more blessed to give than to receive, but then it is also more blessed to be able to do without than to have to have.

Sren Kierkegaard’s Journals and Papers

–What is the chief end of man?to get rich. In what way?—dishonestly if we can; honestly if we must. Who is God, the one and only true? Money is God. Gold and Greenbacks and Stock—father, son, and ghosts of same, three persons in one; these are the true and only God, mighty and supreme.

Mark Twain, “The Revised Catechism”

[Wesley’s] famous formula, “Get all you can; save all you can; give all you can,” must be supplemented. It should read: get all you can; save all you can; freely use all you can within a properly disciplined spiritual life; and control all you can for the good of humankind and God’s glory.

Giving all you can would then naturally be a part of an overall wise stewardship. Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines

I do not think I exaggerate when I say that some of us put our offering in the plate with a kind of triumphant bounce as much as to say: “There—now God will feel better!” … I am obliged to tell you that God does not need anything you have. He does not need a dime of your money. It is your own spiritual welfare at stake in such matters as these. … You have the right to keep what you have all to yourself—but it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you.

A. W. Tozer, Christ the Eternal Son

Money as a form of power is so intimately related to the possessor that one cannot consistently give money without giving self.

Quoted in Edward W. Bauman, Where Your Treasure Is

The worship offering [is] a pure gift to God in thankfulness for what we have already received. It should therefore be an exciting and major part of the service.

Lynn A. Miller, Just in Time