When people ask for a handout, we may feel reluctant to help out. But when someone helps us when we are in need need, the value of charity becomes apparent.

Fear of any kind is never an excuse to break any of God's laws. God wants us to learn the principle of reciprocity- that what we sow we will also reap.

The Parable of the Rich Fool illustrates that, when one has all the material possessions he could want, he may still not be rich toward God.

When the early church went through a famine, the Macedonian congregation contributed spontaneously, somewhat putting to shame the Corinthian congregation.

Deuteronomy 16:16 does not specify the exact amount of the offering, but does ask us to make a thoughtful recollection of the benefits received from God.

The context for the oft-misquoted 'money is the root of all evil' is a warning against ministers who wish to enrich themselves using the pretext of God's Word.

Wealth will certainly damage our character if we permit it to control us. Riches cannot buy forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, or eternal life.

Laodiceans think of themselves as rich, while God sees them as poor. But Smyrnans see themselves as poor, yet God says they are rich! What are true riches?

When Paul attempted to motivate the Corinthians, he compared them to the Philippians, who were more generous with what they had than the richer Corinthians.

The conventional wisdom is that conservatism is restrictive while liberalism is liberating, but consider that a more liberal America is becoming less free.

Wealth accumulated by honest work and diligence will be blessed, but hastily acquired by any kind of theft or dishonesty will be cursed.

New Testament examples reverse the Old Testament emphasis, focusing instead on upon the wealth of spiritual character, salvation, and eternal life.

Tithing requires faith and trust in God, who provides our ability to acquire wealth. Each member must make his own decision. Tithing is based on increase.

God uses tithing as a learning experience to teach us to give as He does, helping to fashion us into His image. Our generosity reflects God's generosity.

Christianity has both an inward aspect (building godly character or becoming sanctified) and an outward aspect (doing practical good works).

The apostles never required converts to give up property as a precondition for church membership. Rather, the members voluntarily gave, retaining ownership.

The widow described in Luke 21:1-4 gave a paltry 2 mites—a mere quarter of one cent. Yet she sacrificed all she had rather than giving from excess.

Everyone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.

Forces of greed have highjacked charities, their executives sometimes receiving high levels of compensation while their recipients receive left-over crumbs.

Solomon counsels us to exercise diligence, work hard, plan for disruptions, obstacles, and roadblocks, spreading risk to work within this futile world.

We have the obligation to bear spiritual fruit, heeding the lessons of the cursing of the fig tree, and the parables of the barren fig tree and the talents.

Though God indicts Gentile nations for violent crimes, He indicts Israelitish nations for untrustworthiness and their tendency to defraud or misrepresent.