Giving and Tithing by Larry Burkett (Book Summary)

Larry Burkett’s “Giving and Tithing” is renowned for its practical and biblically grounded approach to managing finances in a way that honors God.

This booklet has garnered attention for its straightforward advice and applicability to everyday financial decisions, especially for Christian readers.

Book Details:

Title: Giving and Tithing: Includes Serving and Stewardship
Author: Larry Burkett
Genre: Christian Finance, Personal Finance
Publication Date: Varies (Please check latest edition)
ISBN: 978-0802437372

About the Author:

Larry Burkett was a respected Christian financial advisor and author. His expertise in integrating faith and finances has made him a go-to source for Christians seeking financial guidance. Burkett’s teachings continue to influence many in making sound, ethical financial decisions.

Summary of Giving and Tithing: Includes Serving and Stewardship:

This book delves into the concepts of giving and tithing from a Christian perspective, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and service. Burkett explains how managing finances in a God-honoring way is not just about giving but also about adopting a lifestyle that reflects one’s faith. The book is packed with practical advice, biblical references, and real-life examples.

Selected Passages We Highlighted in the Book:

The simple truth is that most Americans are too busy to serve God. We have grown complacent and comfortable in God’s blessing and have forgotten the first commandment. (35)
Any good administrator knows that ten minutes spent in productive effort is more valuable than two hours of confusion and frustration. Therefore one of the first things a busy, frustrated, overworked Christian needs to do is to dedicate the best part of the day, week, month, and year to the Lord. To do so will mean reordering priorities at work and at home and establishing sound goals, but before you do that read Luke 6: 38. (91)
If a Christian’s first priority is God, then an understanding of God’s way is mandatory. That means personal Bible study. It also means a personal prayer life dedicated to the needs of others as well as to personal needs. (99)
Every Christian must ask, “Am I certain my priorities are in line with God’s?” If not, a change is in order, no matter what the cost is in dollars and cents. (107)
It seems evident that since we will spend eternity in the presence of God and live only seventy years or so on this earth, we should be more concerned about what we will receive then than what we are getting now. (130)
Let me assure you that those who are seriously seeking God are not attracted by luxuries. They are attracted by an uncompromising commitment to God. If that commitment also yields material blessings, it’s just an added benefit. (151)
Most Christians give far less than one-tenth of their income to work done in the Lord’s name. (174)
A lack of giving is an external material indicator that spiritual changes need to be made. Those who give more than a tenth, but not sacrificially, may experience God’s abundance according to His plan for them because they are meeting God’s prerequisites for them at that time. Many who give what we consider a material abundance and do not experience any particular spiritual or material reply may actually be giving for self-motivated reasons. Many people try to bribe God into blessing them. They are like Simon in Acts 8, who when he observed the benefits of God’s power tried to acquire it without meeting the spiritual prerequisites. They demand God’s blessing to reward what they consider to be their sacrifice. They are not in subjection to God but are trying to exercise control over Him. (193)
Another group is made up of those who give, expecting but never demanding. Although God often returns far beyond their expectations both materially and spiritually, their giving is out of a desire to please God, not a desire to profit. The evidence can be found in the fact that usually their sacrificial giving comes long before God responds, and their giving far exceeds their accumulation, regardless of the supply. (202)
The spiritual principle behind Luke 6:38 is indeed giving and receiving, but it is not giving to receive. The prerequisites to receiving are found in Luke 6:27-37. A Christian who lives by these principles practices the surrendered life. Therefore, giving is simply a material expression of the deeper spiritual obedience to Christ. (220)
WHY GIVE TO GOD? The main reason we should give to God is really for our own sakes. In so doing we remember that He is the owner of all we have, and we are only managers. (227)
That is why giving to God is so important. It reminds us who He is, who we are, and what our relationship should be to the things He has allowed us to manage in His name. Giving must be done in love, with a thankful and willing heart, all the time recognizing God as the owner of everything. (234)
There are a number of good reasons to give, but there are also many poor ones. Let’s look at the good reasons first.
GOOD REASONS
1. Giving should be an outward, material expression of a deep spiritual commitment, an indication of a willing and obedient heart. (See Malachi 3: 8; James 1: 22; 1 John 3: 17.)
2. We should give out of grateful hearts and with an attitude of joy. “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.”( 2 Corinthians 9: 7).
3. Some may have the spiritual gift of giving described in Romans 12: 8. These people live disciplined lives, which enables them to give generously. They are especially sensitive to the needs of others and conscious of the need to check out every cause to which they give. Generally, they are prudent people.
4. You may give out of conviction. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is prompting you to give to a special cause. How can you determine if such a desire to give is actually from God or just an emotional response? Read God’s Word and pray. If you are married, include your spouse in the decision to ensure balance in your giving. (238)
Giving for the express purpose of receiving does not please God. Many people try to bribe God by giving to Him first. They quote Luke 6: 38 as their reference. It is true that God will spiritually and physically bless those who give—but only when our motive is right and we are giving out of a sincere desire to please Him. Remember, God looks at the heart. (252)
HOW DO I GIVE? 1. Give out of your abundance according to the principle taught in 2 Corinthians 8:14. (272)
Sacrificial giving is a way to honor God but, once again, it should be the result of a good attitude, not a desire to impress others. All of us have been called to suffer for Christ according to Philippians 1:29. In today’s generation that may not include great physical sacrifice, but it does require an understanding that the purpose of our abundance is to further the kingdom of God. Neither a voluntary rejection of all wealth nor a display of material success is evidence of a balanced Christian walk. In this country, however, few of us have a problem with sacrificing too much. (286)
…few Christians really cannot afford to give, and when giving is done in love, it exemplifies the greatest sacrifice ever made for mankind—the death of Jesus on the cross. (293)
Once Christians have gone beyond the first step of giving themselves to the Lord, they are in a position to give their possessions in love. Why? Because they have yielded their will to the God of love, who is working in and through them for the benefit of others. Thus, giving begins with surrendering to God. (312)
Was the tithe intended to help establish the physical church and pay the wages of “full-time” ministers? If so, it took a long time for the word to get around, because it was not until Moses was given the law that the tithe filled this need. No, the tithe was established as a physical, earthly demonstration of man’s commitment to God. (345)
Giving the tithe is the outward sign of inner commitment. It is material surrender prompted by spiritual surrender. (358)
It was never intended that we should all give the same, but we should give according to our abundance and our convictions. The tenth was considered the minimum. (360)
When done for the right reason, tithing is the confirmation of God’s controlling ownership, which means we simply manage what He has entrusted to us. (366)
A family that finds itself unable to make a commitment of a tenth of its resources to God should realistically examine its spending and living habits. Perhaps that will require a critical examination of spiritual values as well. (374)
God never intended for everyone to give the same amount or in the same way, but each should give bountifully and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9: 67). The tithe is a testimony of God’s ownership; thus; it is meant to be individualized. (378)
It is often stated that our modern churches are the storehouses described in the Old Testament and inferred in the New, so our tithes should simply be given to the church. I wish that were true. Few churches today truly operate as storehouses, providing for the needs of the sick, elderly, and orphaned, as well as supporting the inspired teachers of the Word outside of the organized church. Therefore, to the extent that a church lacks in a specific area of ministry, a portion of the tithe should be given to individuals or parachurch organizations that are “filling in the gap.” (399)

Who Would Benefit From This Book?

This book is ideal for Christians aged 25-45, especially those with families, seeking a non-aggressive, authentic approach to finance. It’s perfect for readers who admire practical, biblically-based advice and are interested in learning more about managing finances in a way that honors their faith and supports their goals of debt freedom and increased generosity.

Popular Quotes from Giving and Tithing:

“A lack of giving is an external material indicator that spiritual changes need to be made.”
“It was never intended that we should all give the same, but we should give according to our abundance and our convictions.”
“When done for the right reason, tithing is the confirmation of God’s controlling ownership, which means we simply manage what He has entrusted to us.”
“A family that finds itself unable to make a commitment of a tenth of its resources to God should realistically examine its spending and living habits.”

Related Books:

“How To Manage Your Money: An In-Depth Bible Study on Personal Finances” by Larry Burkett
“The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey
“Your Money Counts” by Howard Dayton
Simple Money, Rich Life, by Bob Lotich