The Motive of Giving

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 21, 1910

The Motive of Giving

THE true motive with which the disciples of the Lord should give of their means for the forwarding of his work in the field is clearly stated by John H. Converse in a recent number of the Sunday School Times:—

The basic principle of giving is the obligation to give as the Lord has prospered the giver, and that the gift should be for the promotion of the Lord’s work and for the benefit of humanity. “Thou must love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself.” The service of the Lord means service for humanity. “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.” Matt. 25:40. It is because the essential principle of Christianity is self-denial, unselfishness, and love for one’s neighbor, that the obligation is upon us.

Many have no other means of service. Their circumstances and environment are such that the only way they can show their devotion to the Lord’s work is by their gifts.

The motive of giving should be to do good to others. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” It should not be to make reputation and notoriety for one’s self; it should not be on a commercial basis in which the giver expects a return; it should not be a bargain with the Lord, such as Jacob proposed in his promise to give one tenth if the Lord would protect and prosper him. This attitude was characteristic of his shrewd and worldly character at the time. Satan, in his attack on Job, asked, “Doth Job fear God for naught?” A worldly motive, expecting a return, detracts from all merit in giving.

The extent of giving should be until one feels it a matter of self-sacrifice. To give out of one’s superfluity and abundance has little merit.

The personal element must be a part of the gift in order to sanctify it. With his gift the giver should give himself, by his sympathy and interest. . . .

The Scriptural warrant and precedent for giving are emphatic in both the Old and New Testaments. “Honor Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.” Prov. 3:9. Christ’s command to the young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and his saying as quoted by the apostle Paul, that it is more blessed to give than to receive, inculcate the duty of giving as one of the first obligations of the Christian.

Speaking of the objects which should enlist our sympathies, especially in the support of the gospel work, Mr. Converse continues:—

To what objects is it especially obligatory to give? As we owe to God our ability to earn, we should first of all give to him. This means the support of the gospel at home and abroad, and of all means to this end, such as Christian education, circulation of the Bible, and the dissemination of Christian literature. It also means benevolence toward humanity. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

The objects of giving are innumerable. One may have his choice, and the choice is one of the only privileges left to many men; a wise judgment and personal interest are necessary for guidance.

With such motives and purposes possessing the disciples of Christ, there will be no lack of funds in the treasury of the Lord, and giving, instead of appealing to the sense of duty, will become a pleasure. Our greatest joy is in doing for those we love, and as we enter into communion with the Lord Jesus, realize all that he has done for us, and drink in of his spirit of devotion and sacrifice, the chief joy of our lives will be in consecrating all to him, even as he gave all for us.