Q:
I'm on a fixed income, and I just don't have any extra money to give to my church. I used to be able to help, but I don't see how I can now. Will God be angry with me for this?
A:
No, God won’t be angry with you because you don’t think you can support God’s work through your giving. God loves you; He isn’t a harsh, cruel judge who’s just waiting to pounce on us and punish us every time we get out of line. As the Bible says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8).
Don’t misunderstand me, however; don’t conclude that God doesn’t care whether or not you give, for He does. But the reason is because He wants to use you to bless others through your giving—and when you bless others, you yourself will be blessed. In other words, when we give, we have the joy of knowing we’re sharing in God’s work. The Bible says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
You may not be able to give much, but I urge you to give something, not because God will be angry with you if you don’t, but because He wants to bless you through your giving. Do you remember the little boy who gave his lunch to Jesus? Jesus took it and miraculously multiplied it, feeding thousands (see John 6:5-13). In the same way, God can use even our smallest gifts to help others.
Never forget that God offers us the greatest gift of all—the gift of salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. Have you received this gift into your life?