As Christians, we are called upon to show love to others, particularly our family members and close kin.
One way we can show love is by providing financial support.
But, what does the Bible say about giving money to family members?
Is this something that we should be doing? In this post, we will explore what the Bible says about providing support to our loved ones.
Caring for family members
First, it is important to remember that the Bible teaches about our responsibility to care for our family members.
In 1 Timothy 5:8, it states, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of providing for our family members, including financial support when necessary.
Being wise in our giving
We do need to be wise in our giving.
In Proverbs 19:17, it states, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
This verse highlights the importance of being generous but also shows that even our giving to family members should be done with a servant heart and a generous spirit.
It is also important to balance our desire to help with the need to maintain personal financial stability.
In many cases, providing significant financial assistance to family members can put a strain on our own financial security.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7, it states, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
We should not feel pressured to give more than we can afford, or to give in a way that would cause us undue stress.
Giving to honor God
Another important principle to remember is that our giving should seek to ultimately point people to Christ.
In Colossians 3:23-24, it states, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
We should give to our family members with humility and a heart filled with love, recognizing that our ultimate goal is to point them to Christ.
The Bible does teach us about our responsibility to care for our family members, including providing financial support when necessary.
However, we need to balance our desire to help with wisdom and personal financial stability.
Our giving should be generously done with a cheerful heart, and ultimately point people to Christ.
