Reflections on Church and Finances

In one sense, it's strange that God asks Christians to support the work of the gospel. Doesn't God own "the cattle on a thousand hills"? (Psalm 50:10) If God wanted, he could fund the church through miraculous provision from heaven. Why go through the much more inefficient and cumbersome process of tithes and offerings from the congregation?

One short answer is that God delights to see us help in his work. Many of you are parents of young children. I remember when my boys were little, as I would bring in the groceries, they would ask, "daddy, can I help?" Now technically, their "help" was more work for me, since I had to extend my arms out to let them "hold" the grocery bag with me. Even though it was quite inefficient and more work, my fatherly heart was delighted that my boys wanted to help me. So it is with our Heavenly Father. He delights to see his children help him in the great work of the gospel. It is not a burden, but our joy and privilege to help our Father in his work.