What Does The New Testament Say About Giving?

Recently, I decided to examine what the New Testament teaches us about giving.  There are two verses that I think make clear what God expects of us.  The first is in Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV).  This text is in red letters to demonstrate that these are Jesus' actual words.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

The other verse can be found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV) in which Paul teaches the people of Corinth about giving.

 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

 What I learn from these verses is that giving should be voluntary, from our hearts, each gift should be cheerfully given and done in secret.

Let's examine the idea that giving should be done in private as that is what Jesus Himself teaches us.  It is clear we should not make a show of it.  In other words we should not give money with conditions such as the naming of buildings or wings.  If we want to help give the money quietly without strings.  We should not be calling press conferences to announce our gift nor should we make a public display when giving it. 

Paul expounds on this further teaching us through his lesson to the people of Corinth that giving should be voluntary and not under compulsion and that it should be cheerful.

I take these verses to mean God expects us to give but he expects us to do so voluntarily, in secret and not by compulsion.  What does this say about churches who require as a condition of membership that their members divulge their income and provide documentation so that the church can monitor that you are tithing. To me that seems more like compulsory giving or a church tax.  I am not sure about you but I do not consider taxes to be voluntarily, cheerfully or secretly given.  I would hope those churches will prayerfully reconsider their policy. For individuals who are not giving they should also prayerfully reconsider their motives.