I'm using my final blog post about how God and money relate, to lay out one of the simplest giving plans I've seen.  Without a plan, our giving will always be passive and spontaneous.  We will give to God when our emotions are stirred and our hearts feel like it.  As Christ Followers, our giving should be active and intentional.  Here is how we can do that:

Step 1 - Priority giving (this is a starting place for all Christ Followers)

Priority giving means that when we get paid, we give to God before anyone else.  It's making Him a priority.  It's ensuring that we don't give God the leftovers.  God always wants our first and our best.  This includes our time, energy, focus, talents, etc. (Proverbs 3:9). 

Step 2 - Percentage giving

In the first half of the Bible, we learn a lot about how people used to relate to God.  There were hundreds of requirements that God placed on the Israelites.  One of these requirements was the concept of tithing... giving 10% of all income back to God and keeping 90% for self (Leviticus 27:30).  Why did God establish the tithe?  I don't know.  Maybe it's the exact amount needed to keep our hearts from drifting towards greed or looking to ourselves as the owner.

In the second half of the Bible, the tithe is referenced but never commanded.  Sometimes there is confusion about this.  Let me address this.  Because of the death of Jesus, we've received more grace... more mercy... more forgiveness... more compassion... more love... more of a relationship with God than people who lived during the period of the Old Testament.  At the same time, we live in an era where there is more wealth and luxury at our disposal than ever before.  Would it not make sense that percentage giving should be a minimum for those of us who follow Christ?  Why not let it be the launching pad for our giving?  Obviously you won't be able to do this if you haven't developed the pattern of priority giving first.

Step 3- Progressive giving

After we've developed the pattern of priority giving and percentage giving, there will be moments and seasons in our life where we feel God wants us to give more and our giving will become progressive during that season in our life.

Maybe you've never thought about having a plan for your giving before, but it will allow you to excel in this area of your life!

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.  2 Corinthians 8:7