7 Biblical Motivations for Giving: A Deep Dive

It is wonderful to explore the motivations for giving as revealed in God's Word, and indeed, all the motivations you've mentioned are beautifully aligned with biblical principles and expectations for God's people. Each reflects a facet of our relationship with our Creator and our fellow human beings, guiding us toward faithful stewardship and heartfelt devotion. Let's delve into these sacred motivations together. 📖🙏

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1. Knowing or Understanding 🧠

Giving is fundamentally rooted in our understanding of God's will, His claims upon us, and the profound truths presented in the Sacred Scriptures. When we earnestly seek knowledge of God's Word, we gain insight into our responsibilities and the divine purpose for our means. This understanding empowers us to give intelligently and purposefully.

• Understanding God's Claims: God desires that His people awaken to their responsibilities, as a flood of light shines from His Word, revealing neglected obligations. When we meet these obligations by giving tithes and offerings, the way is opened for the world to hear His message. Malachi 3:10 teaches us to "Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." This divine invitation to prove Him is based on understanding His righteous claim.

• Ready to Give a Reason: We are called to be Bible students, always ready to explain the hope within us to anyone who asks. This readiness comes from a deep, non-superficial knowledge of truth, which is essential for every believer, regardless of their calling. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." Our giving, then, becomes a tangible expression of this reasoned hope.

• Knowing God's Will: God has endowed us with reasoning powers so we can compare scripture with scripture and know the truth for ourselves. This personal study allows us to discern God's will and apply it to our lives, including our financial stewardship. Those who truly know God and believe in Him become His witnesses, understanding His eternal nature and purpose. As Isaiah 43:10 declares, "You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." Knowing God deeply leads to trusting Him with our possessions and supporting His cause.

2. Responding or Thanksgiving 🙏

Giving is a natural and heartfelt response to God's boundless mercies and blessings. It is an expression of deep appreciation for all that He has provided, especially the unspeakable gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Our offerings become tangible proofs of our gratitude.

• Appreciation for God's Mercies: From the earliest days, men were required to offer gifts for religious purposes to manifest their appreciation for God's mercies and blessings. This practice continued through generations, as seen with Abraham. All the good that humanity enjoys comes from God's mercy; He is the great and bountiful Giver, whose love is manifest in abundant provision. 1 Chronicles 29:14 beautifully captures this sentiment, "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of you, and of your own have we given you."

• Thank Offerings: The Scriptures explicitly describe various offerings given as thanksgiving. For instance, Leviticus 7:12 outlines, "If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried." These were acts of worship, demonstrating joy and gratitude for the Lord's blessings, much like the dedication of the house of God by the children of Israel, who "kept the dedication of this house of God with joy" and offered sacrifices to Him, as recorded in Ezra 6:16-17.

• Sacrifice of Praise: True giving, especially through self-denial, is a sweet-smelling savor to God and is wholly acceptable as a consecrated gift. The very act of giving expands the heart of the giver, drawing them closer to the Redeemer. This spirit of thanksgiving leads us to joyfully dedicate ourselves and our resources to Him, recognizing that even our offerings come from what He has first given us.

3. Exemplary Giving (Following Suit) 🌟

Our giving is also motivated by the inspiring examples of faithfulness set by others, particularly those in positions of spiritual leadership and by Christ Himself. We are encouraged to learn from and emulate those who demonstrate true commitment to God's cause.

• Ministers as Examples: Those entrusted with leadership in the church, especially ministers, bear a sacred responsibility to be examples of faithful stewardship. They are called to educate people about their obligations to God in tithes and offerings. If a minister fails to teach these essential matters, it is a neglect of their duty. This shows that the practice of giving, including tithe-paying, is an expected part of Christian living, which leaders should exemplify and teach.

• Living Example of Christ: The daily walk of those who profess the truth should be a living example of Christ's life. A light should shine forth from them, leading others to the Redeemer. The character of individuals, whether saints or sinners, is revealed by their actions, and faithful giving is a part of reflecting Christ's character.

• Being God's Husbandry and Building: We are all laborers together with God, His husbandry, and His building. This imagery from 1 Corinthians 3:9 implies a shared work and mutual support within the body of Christ. When church officers set an example in accordance with God's Word, it strengthens the faith of others. Christ Himself affirmed the principle of tithing, not condemning the act of paying tithe but the hypocrisy that sometimes accompanied it, saying in Matthew 23:23 "These you should have done, and not to leave the other undone," thus encouraging faithful giving alongside justice, mercy, and faith.

4. Loving ❤️

Love for God and for our neighbor is a foundational motivation for giving. It transforms selfish desires into a pleasure to do God's will and drives us to identify our interests with those of Christ, embracing a spirit of self-sacrifice.

• Love for God and Neighbor: The principle of loving our neighbor as ourselves, found in Leviticus 19:18 guides our generosity. When the love of God fills our hearts and controls our lives, covetousness, selfishness, and love of ease are overcome. Our happiness then becomes proportionate to our unselfish works, prompted by the love of Christ.

• Identifying with Christ's Sacrifice: Christ's love and self-denial are without parallel. When this love enters our experience, we consecrate ourselves and our possessions to Him, using both as His cause may require. We are bought with a price, and therefore, our bodies and spirits, and indeed all that we have, belong to God. As 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, "What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." Giving is a way to glorify God out of love.

• Doing All Things with Charity: The apostle Paul encourages us, "Let all your things be done with charity" 1 Corinthians 16:14. This "charity," or selfless love, means that our giving is not a mere transaction but an outpouring of affection and care. Losing the talent of love is a grave error, as it was the love of God that saved humanity from eternal death.

5. Working 🛠️

Giving is an integral part of actively laboring in God's vineyard, using the means He has entrusted to us to advance His cause and fulfill our sacred stewardship. It is about being diligent, productive, and making a difference in the world for His kingdom.

• Laborers Together with God: We are called to be "laborers together with God," His "husbandry" and His "building," as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:9. This divine partnership implies that our resources, like our talents, are to be used for His purposes. The work of God is sacred, and it requires our full ability and strength to be a power against the moral darkness of the world.

• Advancing the Cause: Money itself has value primarily as it is used to bless others and advance the cause of Christ. It becomes "food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked" when put into God's service. Christ's commission to go to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples Matthew 28:20 requires resources, and our giving directly contributes to this great work.

• Diligent Stewardship: The Lord invites those who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him, take His yoke, and learn from Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light Matthew 11:28-30. This call to service includes diligent stewardship of our finances. Every opportunity to help a brother or aid God's cause in spreading truth is a precious pearl, adding to our heavenly treasure. Malachi 3:10 also clearly links faithful giving to the provision of "meat in my house," which refers to the sustenance of God's work.

6. Faith, Believing, and Trusting 🛡️

Giving is an act of faith, demonstrating our trust in God's promises and His unfailing provision. It reflects our belief in His message and our assurance of an enduring reward in heaven. It is choosing to invest in eternal treasures rather than perishable earthly ones.

• Proving God's Faithfulness: God Himself invites us to "prove me now herewith" by bringing all our tithes into the storehouse Malachi 3:10. This is an invitation to exercise faith, trusting that He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing. This divine challenge assures us that our faith in giving will be met with His abundant faithfulness.

• Trusting in God's Wisdom: Those who trust in God and His wisdom, rather than their own, walk in safe paths. Conversely, those who selfishly retain their means, hoping to do something "great" for God after their death, demonstrate a lack of faith in His present claims. Jeremiah 17:5 warns, "Thus says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD." True faith moves us to act now, while we live.

• Laying up Heavenly Treasure: Christ teaches us to "Sell that ye have and give alms" and "lay up treasure in heaven." This is a secure investment that makes us rich in good works, providing an enduring treasure and helping us "lay hold on eternal life." Giving, therefore, is an act of believing in the reality of the heavenly kingdom and trusting God with our future. Our salvation is worked out with fear and trembling, knowing that "it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" Philippians 2:12-13, enabling us to have faith in our giving.

7. Worshipping 🙌

Giving is an act of adoration, reverence, and spiritual devotion to God. It is a sacred duty and a recognition of Him as the ultimate Giver of all things. Our offerings are a part of our worship, demonstrating our reverence and acknowledging His supreme authority and goodness.

• Altar and Offerings as Worship: From ancient times, the altar was a place of worship where offerings were brought to God. Exodus 20:24 instructs, "An altar of earth thou shalt make unto Me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep and thine oxen: in all places where I record My name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." These offerings were direct acts of worship, acknowledging God's presence and seeking His blessing.

• Sanctified Time and Possessions: The Sabbath, sanctified in Eden Genesis 2:2-3, teaches us that God sets apart what is holy. Similarly, God asks us to reserve a tenth of our possessions for Him, besides gifts and offerings, for carrying forward the gospel work. This is not because He needs anything, but for us to acknowledge Him as the Giver of all things.

• Glorifying God with Our All: We are called to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God's 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. This holistic devotion includes our material possessions. When we bring our offerings, we are joining the heavenly host in ascribing praise and glory to our Creator. It is an act of sacred stewardship, recognizing that everything connected with God's cause is sacred and to be regarded as such.

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In conclusion, our giving flows from a heart enlightened by God's truth, overflowing with gratitude, inspired by holy examples, driven by love, committed to His work, anchored in faith, and expressed as an act of profound worship. May we ever be moved by these motivations to honor God with all that we are and all that we possess. 💖