It’s no secret, giving can be hard.
Sometimes it feels like kale. We know it’s good for us, but we’re not exactly craving it.
And yet, generosity is central to what it means to follow Jesus.
The problem? Most American Christians give like they eat kale, occasionally, reluctantly, and only when someone guilts them into it. That’s what I’ve heard called 3S giving: sporadic, spontaneous, and sparing.
The 3S Giving Problem
The numbers don’t lie. According to a 2022 State of the Plate report:
- Only 5% of American churchgoers give 10% or more of their income.
- 50% of people who attend church give $0 in a year.
- The average American Christian gives about 2.5% of their income.
- And giving as a percentage of income was actually higher during the Great Depression than it is today.
We’re not talking about people in dire poverty here. We’re talking about suburban believers with gym memberships, Amazon Prime, Netflix, the latest iPhone and a side hustle to pay for their dog’s grain-free diet.
Giving isn’t broken because we’re broke. Giving is broken because our hearts are.
Jesus was clear:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, ESV)
He’s saying the way we give reflects what we treasure.
Enter the Rich Young Ruler
Remember that guy in Mark 10? This rich young ruler comes to Jesus, eager to inherit eternal life. Jesus lists off a few commandments. The man checks all the boxes. He’s nailed it. But then Jesus drops the mic:
“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21, ESV)
And what does the man do?
“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:22, ESV)
He walked away!. Not because he didn’t love God, but because his stuff had a stronger grip on him than Jesus did.
Let’s not judge him too quickly. He’s us. He’s the modern Christian who tips God with a leftover $20 once in a while but wouldn’t dare rearrange their lifestyle to become truly generous.
There’s a Better Way: The 3P Giving Framework
If 3S giving is sporadic, spontaneous, and sparing, we need a shift. Let’s talk about 3P giving instead. This giving is:
- Priority-Based
Give first. Before the bills, before the extras. It’s not about what’s left at the end of the month. It’s about putting God first.“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9, ESV) - Percentage-Based
Choose a percentage of your income and commit to it. Start somewhere, anywhere! Maybe 5%, 10%, maybe even more. Percentage giving grows us in faith and reminds us that all we have is God’s anyway. - Progressive
As God blesses you, grow in generosity. The goal isn’t to check a box and stay there forever. It’s to stretch, to trust, and to keep growing. Could you imagine doing a reverse tithe? That’s living on 10% while giving away 90%! It can be done if we try hard enough.
Imagine if every Christian embraced 3P giving. Churches would have all the resources needed to expand ministry. Missionaries could be sent. Families in crisis could be helped. Needs in the community could be met with abundance instead of scarcity.
Let’s Laugh (and Then Get Serious)
Sure, giving hurts sometimes. You might hear your bank account groan a little. You might have to delay that 17th streaming service or put off the latest gadget. But you’re trading temporary comforts for eternal impact.
Generosity isn’t just a money thing. It’s a heart thing. It’s about becoming people who trust God more than stuff, who treasure heaven more than Amazon, and who know that we’ve been given everything in Christ, so we live open-handedly in response.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
So here’s the challenge:
Audit your giving. Be honest. Are you living in the 3S world and giving sporadically, spontaneously, and sparingly? Or are you stepping toward 3P generosity that gives with priority, by percentage, and in a progressive way?
Let’s not be the rich young ruler who walks away. Let’s be the ones who follow and give with joy.
Source: www.derrickhurst.org