ACT OF GIVING 3 Chapter Two: Why Do You Give?

Do you give because you are mandated to give?

You should not give because you are mandated to give, or because you think it is compulsory for you to give. Example is if you hold a position or office above people whereby the people you lead are dependent on you. You have to give based on your love for them and not out of necessity.

Do you give because you want the person to give you something in return?

Do not desire to receive something in return when you give, because what you will get in return will be limited to the blessing G.o.d has for you and you will have no eternal reward, desire heavenly reward than worldly reward.

Do you give because you want people to see that you are giving?

Do not give so that people will see that you give. Do not be like the hypocrites Jesus taught about that gave to be known.

"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their rewards." - Matt.6:2

Do you give because someone told you to give?

Your giving should originate from your heart. Do not give because you are told to do so. Be willing to give at all times. At times if someone told you to give, you may not give willingly because it did not originate from your heart.

Do you give because you think you should give?

Giving is a thing of self-conviction, knowing what you have to do at the right time. Even if you are not sure whether to give or not, just give from a willing heart.

"For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not." - II Cor.8:12

Do you give because you feel like giving?

Your giving should not be based on feelings because feelings are not stable; they are momentary, depending on circ.u.mstances. Your giving should be regular and tied to your knowledge of giving.

Do you give because you are pressurized to give?

When you are pressurized to give it means you are not willing to give at any condition. Giving when you are pressurized to give is equivalent to not giving at all because it has no reward since it does not come from a willing heart.

Do you give because you don't want someone to complain about you?

Giving because you don't want someone to complain about you is hypocrisy because it didn't come from a loving heart. Your giving should be motivated by love.

Do you give to receive praises or honor?

Do not give to receive praises or honor from men because it has no eternal reward. Being praised or honored for what you gave should be avoided. G.o.d cannot bless such giving.

Do you give to receive recognition?

Do not give to receive any recognition for your giving. It should not be your ulterior motive.

"But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." - Matt.6:4

There are so many wrong reasons to give, which are to get something in return, to get fame, men's approval or recognition, or pride, and such cannot be accepted and rewarded by G.o.d.

"Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for G.o.d loves a cheerful giver." - II Cor.9:7

Anytime you want to give, make sure it comes from the depth of your heart and you are giving it freely and willingly with no intention of collecting something in return. Make sure you don't give grudgingly or reluctantly as the scriptures say. Do not give because you think you are mandated to give or because you think it is necessary. You need to have the heart of giving. Giving should originate from the heart. Your giving should be motivated by love. Any giving without love is useless. As G.o.d gave us an example in John 3:16,

"For G.o.d so LOVE the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son"

You cannot love without giving because giving is an expression of love, if you love someone you will surely give to such a person.

Why do you give? If you have been giving for the wrong reasons, you have to amend your ways and set your heart right in order to give in the right way. Apostle Paul said in I Cor.13:3 that, "If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."
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The right reason to give is because you love the person and you are willing to give. Your heart goes before your hand. When you are giving, you should give cheerfully with joy in your heart. Do not seek the recognition of man but seek the recognition of G.o.d. You give because that is who you are; a giver. You give because the word of G.o.d tells us to give. You give because whatever you do, you do onto G.o.d. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." - Col.3:23–24