4:128 – Giving: For The Glory, For The Good, or For The God?

#faithbites #faithjourney giving

Setting

Some say never discuss sex, religion, money, or politics. If you avoid those four topic areas, all will be well. But, we aren’t going for well, we are going for growth 🙂 Today we will talk about two of them: money (giving) and religion.

At my church and school lately, there has been a lot of talk about money. We have a new capital campaign to help build a new church and our school’s annual auction to raise money. I see how money can help but also how money can divide. I’ve seen people who go out of their way to be acknowledged when they give and others who want to do it in private. Still, there are others who are unsure of the reaction they will get if they give or not give. God tells us to give unselfishly and that giving should be between you and He. But what does that mean?

Today’s Questions: When you give, why are you giving? Do you care what others give? Does that impact your giving? If so, why?

Scripture

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
• Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
• Matthew 6:1-4 – “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.

Reflection

As we said, money and religion are complicated topics and when you put them together it just intensifies the complication. Our three scriptures so different parts of giving. The first shows us that we should give according to our heart not out of compulsion as God wants us to give. We should never feel we have to give or we won’t be accepted. We shouldn’t feel pressured into giving. The gift should come from our hearts. Second, while we know God loves a cheerful giver, we should do give and share what we have. Some can’t give 10% some can give a lot more. The amount isn’t what is important. The important part is that is comes from our heart and using it to do good works that are pleasing to God.

The third scripture is our key passage for today. The importance of this is that we should not be praised. We shouldn’t have to hold us our amount to the world to let them know we are righteous because we give. This is tricky. Does it mean we should share what we are giving because it has to be secret, or is God telling us that we shouldn’t announce it because we may seek Glory? For me, I think God is trying to avoid hubris and jealousy. Hubris from those who as they shouldn’t be seen as pounding on their chest for attention and jealousy from those who see the gift and either can’t give at that level or assume the person who is giving is doing it for the adoration.

I know people who are blessed and give openly and honestly. Others give in secret. Some give for the works and the glory. While others still give because they feel they feel it is required for salvation. I believe that God gave us the Mark passage to avoid the temptation and possibility of hurt feelings or misinterpretation.

As we close, however you give, give for the right reason. Your gift, public or not, is between you and God. If you see someone give, say thanks. It doesn’t matter the amount. If you don’t see someone give, you don’t know that they did or didn’t. Remember, that giving isn’t an obligation, we want to give as everything we have is God’s to begin we. We just need to be good stewards of it.

Prayer

Father God, you give us so much. Help us to return what you give so that it may be used to advance your kingdom on earth. Lord, everyone is in a different situation. Help us to remember that as we give to your church and your people. Let us not be caught up on how much someone is giving or not giving. Let us be servants of your word and give because it is the right thing to do. Remove any judgement or jealousy that we may have when we see what others have. Let us be your servants and give from our hearts not for the Glory but for you. In your name, we pray, Amen.