One school of thought states that we give not to expect something back, just because we love God so much and are generally such wonderful selfless people. These people usually also - somewhat paradoxically - trust that as they give to God's work, God will be "faithful" and take care of their "needs".
Again, as in basically every other case, God's word is VERY simple and straightforward on the topic of money. Some of the more direct scriptures below:
Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.
Luke 6:38 give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
Ephesians 6:7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord
Now, it is very clear from scripture, that God constantly uses the stick and carrot method in trying to motivate us to stay on the right path
Deuteronomy 11: 26-28 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God --
Ephesians 6:1 2 "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 "that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth."
Now with regards to money, there is a challenge: the LOVE of money. Now, the word that is translated "love of money" does mean avarice or covetousness in general as well, but we should still understand it to have a special meaning in the context of money.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.”
1 Timothy 3:2-3 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.
There is a very important thing we need to understand about money. It is out of this world and does not really belong to this world. Now, the earth and everything in it is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1), and gold and silver also belongs to God (Haggai 2:8). However, money is not measured in anything of this world. Your bank account statement is not given in millions of pine cones, gold, or silver. It is simply a number, representing an agreement made between humans.
Matthew 22:19-21 And they brought him a coin.[a] And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
This passage actually gives us a little glimpse into how the antichrist is going to rule the earth: not by anything of Gods, but with a system built entirely on the decisions/agreements of people that agree to it.
The love of money thus takes on a whole new meaning when we look at it from this point of view. The love of money is really the love of the praise of man, as money only has the value that men give it. The love of money is the love of mankind and ultimately of the antichrist.
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
The ABC of Money in the Kingdom of God
1. 10% of your gross income belongs to the house of the Lord, meaning the Church in all of its forms, especially the place where you get spiritual nourishment (Malachi 3:8-10; 1 Corinthians 9:11)
2. You MUST give the 10% as if you don't, you are a thief (Malachi 3:8)
3. The more you give the more you get back (Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8) A note on receiving... you will receive in this age and the coming, but there is a relationship aspect to this: you may ask God to deposit onto your earthly bank account or your heavenly one.
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