While many people have opinions about how much money is enough for a Christian, I wonder just how many have searched the Scripture to see the amount of money God expects His children to have.

I must confess that when I researched the financial requirements, I was astounded! I had to immediately admit that I didn't have enough money to do all the things God requires of me.

Let's look at just two things God requires every believer to do. Notice that each of these things takes money.

God requires you to have enough money to be truly joyful when you tithe.

Tithing is not always joyful, especially when every cent counts and there are needs on every hand. In spite of their needs, there are many Christians who tithe faithfully. However, when money is in short supply, it's really hard to be joyful about it.

Let's go to the Scripture and see what God says our attitude should be when we tithe.

Deuteronomy 26 is completely dedicated to the proper way of bringing the tithe to God. I recommend that you read the whole chapter at your earliest convenience. However, to save time, let's look at only a portion of it.
And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house.…When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase….
(Deut. 26:11-12)
God says we must be in an attitude of rejoicing when we tithe. Think about it a moment. Just how much money will you have to earn to be really joyful each time you tithe?

I cannot personally answer that question for you. You will have to determine that for yourself. There is an amount of money that would make tithing more than an act of obedience, turning it into a truly joyful act of worship.

But wait! Don't go away yet, for God requires you to have money for several other things. Let's look at one more….

God requires you to have enough money to be able to adequately do your part to send the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world.

I am sure all Christians know God requires more of them than just tithing. Malachi tells us we have robbed God if we do not give offerings over and above our tithes.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
(Mal. 3:8)
Just take a moment and think of the many offerings God requires of you. Surely He wants you to give to missions, traveling ministers, as well as Christian radio and television networks.
Those who are taught the Word of God should help their teachers by paying them.
(Gal. 6:6 TLB)

Go...TEACH all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matt. 28:19-20)
Everyone knows that going into all the world to preach the gospel to every living soul is a very expensive business. However, this requirement becomes even more expensive when you fully understand what Jesus added to the Great Commission in the Book of Acts.
...Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)
Notice carefully the word "both" in the above verse. It shows us how we are to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world. The word both adds to the Great Commission. "You shall be witnesses of me simultaneously in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth."

Now before you throw up your hands in utter hopelessness, let me point out that God hasn't left you powerless and alone to meet this great expense. Look once again at the first part of the verse.
...Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...[then] ye shall be witnesses....
(Acts 1:8)
The power Jesus promises after the Holy Ghost comes upon you is enabling power (dunamis). The Greek word dunamis means "ability."

So let's look at the verse again as I expand the paraphrase for you. "You shall receive the ability after the Holy Ghost has come upon you, and you will be able to witness of me simultaneously in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

How much money will be enough for you to be able to joyfully tithe, as well as paying your fair share toward simultaneously sending the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the entire earth by every means God has ordained?

I cannot answer that for you, but you and God can. God meant for His children to have an abundance. His covenant of provision may seem impossible to obtain, until you read about God's promise to supply.
...Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
(Deut. 8:18)
God Himself has given you supernatural power to get the wealth you will need to fulfill the covenant He has made with you on behalf of a lost and dying world.

Source: How Much Money is Enough? by John Avanzini
Excerpt permission granted by HIS Publishing Company