Eight Questions People Ask About Giving

People carry real questions about giving. These questions stem from lived experience, financial pressure, and the simple reality that generosity can feel burdensome when life is already challenging. These questions matter because they give shape the way a community grows. They deserve clear answers rooted in scripture and grounded research.

1. Did God really command us to give?
Scripture presents giving as a core practice in the life of faith. “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, CSB). Giving is not forced. It is formation. Research supports this idea. A study at the University of Oregon found that financial generosity activates neural reward systems and strengthens a person’s sense of identity as someone who cares for others (Harbaugh et al., 2007). Scripture and science both point toward the same truth. Generosity shapes the inner life.

2. Why does God ask me to give if He can give without me?
God uses giving to develop the heart. Jesus taught, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, CSB). Giving directs the heart toward the things God values. Research from Harvard shows that people who give time or resources develop deeper social bonds and higher emotional awareness because the act forces attention beyond the self (Aknin et al., 2013). Participation forms character.

3. Why should I give if I barely have anything?
Scripture honors the person who gives out of need. Jesus pointed out the widow who contributed two small coins and said she gave with greater sincerity than those who gave from their abundance (Mark 12:41-44, CSB). Research in positive psychology indicates that small acts of generosity can increase a person’s sense of agency and reduce feelings of helplessness, even during financial strain (Dunn et al., 2008). Willingness carries value. Giving begins with trust.

4. Why is it my job if there are billionaires?
Scripture teaches individual responsibility. James described the duty to meet visible needs when they appear (James 2:15–16, CSB). Whoever sees the need carries the task. Social psychology refers to this phenomenon as the diffusion of responsibility. When many people could step in, individuals assume someone else will handle it (Darley & Latané, 1968). Scripture removes that assumption. Presence creates duty.

5. If God wants me to give, why does He not make me rich?
Scripture shows that God prioritizes maturity over comfort. Wealth does not guarantee generosity. Studies in behavioral economics show that higher income often leads to lower proportional giving because abundance reduces sensitivity to need (Piff et al., 2010). God develops discipline and trust in every financial season. Generosity must grow in the heart before it grows in the wallet.

6. Where should I start?
Start with consistent practice. Scripture says, “Do not neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices” (Hebrews 13:16, CSB). Repetition strengthens generosity. Research on habit formation shows that small, regular acts create long-term patterns when they align with personal values (Wood and Neal, 2007). You build the habit through steady participation.

7. How much is enough?
Scripture teaches proportion. Paul instructed believers to give in proportion to their prosperity (1 Corinthians 16:2, CSB). The amount reflects honesty and trust in the current season. Behavioral science shows that the impact of giving is related to motivation and intentionality, rather than the size of the gift. Meaningful giving requires awareness, sacrifice, and clarity of purpose.

8. Is tithing real, and should I give somewhere besides church?
Tithing appears throughout scripture as a pattern of disciplined giving. Jesus acknowledged the practice and emphasized the importance of a faithful heart in both giving and justice (Matthew 23:23, CSB). Early church communities gave to ministry and to the poor (Galatians 2:10, CSB). Research in philanthropy indicates that individuals who contribute to both faith-based organizations and community needs tend to experience stronger well-being and sustained engagement in service (Smith & Davidson, 2014). The church is one place to give. The world is another.

Giving builds culture. Culture grows through people who consistently and sincerely practice generosity. These questions help define that practice. The answers help shape a way of living that reflects God’s heart and strengthens the community around us.

References

Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., & Norton, M. I. (2013). Happiness runs in a circular motion. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(5), 326–330.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). Holman Bible Publishers.

Darley, J. M., & Latané, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8(4), 377–383.

Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687–1688.

Harbaugh, W. T., Mayr, U., & Burghart, D. R. (2007). Neural responses to taxation and voluntary giving. Science, 316(5831), 1622–1625.

Piff, P.K., Kraus, M. W., Côté, S., Cheng, B. H., & Keltner, D. (2010). Having less, giving more. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(5), 771–784.

Smith, C., & Davidson, H. (2014). The Paradox of Generosity. Oxford University Press.

Wood, W., & Neal, D. T. (2007). A new look at habits and the habit-goal interface. Psychological Review, 114(4), 843–863.