This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, we received the following from a listener: I have a piece of property that has greatly appreciated over the years. I’m considering selling it, but I’d like to know how and where the proceeds can be used to glorify God. Dr. Philpot asks if all of it should be given to the church. Can it be given to other organizations, or maybe to individuals who have needs? Should our giving be done anonymously, no matter where or to whom we give? He asks Dr. Richard Caldwell how should questions like these be answered. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul tells us that each should give as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. But as Christians, how can we know that what and where we give glorifies God? Pastor Caldwell begins with the specific question from the listener. He states that if you sell a piece of property that belongs to you, where you give the proceeds is really up to you. The biblical answer is that this is within the sphere of your own decision-making; it isn’t something someone can determine for you. All giving needs to be for the glory of God; it needs to be voluntary, it needs to be generous, and it needs to be wise. Dr. Caldwell says there's no doubt in the New Testament that the local church is the heartbeat of God at work in this world. So, regarding his own giving, he wants the priority to be the local church. Yet there are also other opportunities and places to give. Places such as Christian schools and colleges, para-church ministries, and organizations are worthy of giving to. There are pregnancy assistance centers and people in your life that may have needs. The Lord may want you to keep some for your future living expenses. There is a great variety to choose from for your giving, and no one should impose on you what to do. However, says Dr. Caldwell, the priority of God in the New Testament is the church, so he would think first of giving there. Our giving, wherever we give, does not necessarily have to be anonymous. All giving in the New Testament was not anonymous. What mattered then and now is our motives. Our motives have to be right. If you are unsure about how, where, and to whom you should give, if you have faithful elders in your church, consider speaking with them for guidance on these matters. So, then what about tithing with our money? Should we give a tithe of any and all money we come into, including inheritances? Dr. Caldwell shares that the New Testament believer is not under Law concerning their giving. Yet the principle from the Old Testament tithe is instructive because whatever we receive, we acknowledge it as coming from God. One of the ways we acknowledge it has come from God is by giving a portion of it. This is not to say that every time someone has an increase in their wealth, they must immediately give some of it away for ministry. This is the point Paul makes in 2 Corinthians 9:7 when he speaks of under compulsion. No one should be under any human compulsion or feel pressured to give. Although, says Dr. Caldwell, as believers, our hearts ought to know a different kind of compulsion that comes from an appreciation for what God has given us. What if someone wins something significant from a lottery or something like that? Should a portion of that winning be given to God? Dr. Philpot asks Dr. Caldwell to share his thoughts on this and maybe, answer if this is even something a believer should or shouldn't do. Dr. Caldwell says he sees the lottery system as a form of gambling and does not believe that Christians should participate in activities like this. He shares that one of the ways that we glorify God with our money is in the way we make it. We are taught not to try to become wealthy quickly (See Ecclesiastes 5:10). It is greed that drives that desire. The way that God has designed for us to make money is through work, not through luck or chance by some sort of game that the culture has set up.