We've all given to help the poor: a dinner to the hungry, a donation to the underprivileged, a dollar to the homeless. Prosperity imposes obligation. To have should mean to help, for the needy are all about us. But, often benevolence is an act of relief for a guilty conscience.
It is too easy in prosperous times to write a check or dismiss our responsibility for caring. Even the emperors of Rome gave generously on special holidays to keep the people under their control. They gave bread for their stomachs and provided entertainment to keep their minds from discontent. But they gave without love.
Sometimes we give to others, not out of a sense of gratitude to God for what He has given us, but because of a feeling of obligation. With each level of personal wealth we see many people who harbor a guilt complex. This motivates them to give because of all they possess, but not out of love.
For others, giving is a means of recognition which is just another form of control. Don't we hold people of great wealth in higher esteem than God who provided their wealth? Actors, politicians, people of notoriety are put on a pedestal for giving out of a sense of obligation. Greater are those who do not make it public their giving.
Jesus did not want to send the people away, so He provided from the disciples own provisions of five loaves and two fish. His love manifest itself by multiplying the simple fare. Did He give from a guilty conscience? Did he blow trumpets and shout in the streets of what He had done?
There is a quality of giving that can only spring from love. It is neither an action pasted on to satisfy a requirement, nor an excuse to buy our way from personal involvement. The love which is already present within us, because God is there, bears fruit in our sharing our resources gladly.
It is not so much what we give, but how we give it. We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Love is greater than any act of benevolence. Take Jesus' gift of grace and extreme sacrifice for what it is. He humbly gave His life not out of guilt but pure love.
It is too easy in prosperous times to write a check or dismiss our responsibility for caring. Even the emperors of Rome gave generously on special holidays to keep the people under their control. They gave bread for their stomachs and provided entertainment to keep their minds from discontent. But they gave without love.
Oh, the humiliation if it were ever revealed the motives for our own deeds!
Sometimes we give to others, not out of a sense of gratitude to God for what He has given us, but because of a feeling of obligation. With each level of personal wealth we see many people who harbor a guilt complex. This motivates them to give because of all they possess, but not out of love.
For others, giving is a means of recognition which is just another form of control. Don't we hold people of great wealth in higher esteem than God who provided their wealth? Actors, politicians, people of notoriety are put on a pedestal for giving out of a sense of obligation. Greater are those who do not make it public their giving.
"When you give to the poor, don't be like the hypocrites. They blow trumpets in the synagogues and on the streets so that people will see them and honor them. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward." Matthew 6:2Jesus was a simple carpenter of no great wealth. When the disciples wanted Him to send the people away because of their hunger, Jesus asked the disciples to give the people something to eat. Was this a test of their faith or their love for the people?
Jesus did not want to send the people away, so He provided from the disciples own provisions of five loaves and two fish. His love manifest itself by multiplying the simple fare. Did He give from a guilty conscience? Did he blow trumpets and shout in the streets of what He had done?
There is a quality of giving that can only spring from love. It is neither an action pasted on to satisfy a requirement, nor an excuse to buy our way from personal involvement. The love which is already present within us, because God is there, bears fruit in our sharing our resources gladly.
It is not so much what we give, but how we give it. We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Love is greater than any act of benevolence. Take Jesus' gift of grace and extreme sacrifice for what it is. He humbly gave His life not out of guilt but pure love.
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Anonymous
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteThis post is so profound and beautiful! I love your statement, "We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving." So true! Thank you for sharing your heart through your posts. I admire how you write such thought-provoking and sincere posts. Have a blessed day!
Great message this morning! True humble giving is a beautiful symptom of experiencing God. Happy WFW! Happy to be a new follower!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda, your post is thought provoking because it is true that our motives for giving are not always altruistic. I'd like to think I give unselfishly or without motives, but that wouldn't always be the case. Something to work on in my life!
ReplyDelete"Oh, the humiliation if it were ever revealed the motives for our own deeds!"
ReplyDeleteThat's a scary thought, Lynda. I often do things out of guilt, not wanting to hurt feelings, etc. Love is mixed in, but it's not always a pure vein. Praying for purity...
Such a great reminder! Thanks, Lynda!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and encouragement to love through our giving. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder... thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat words of truth!
ReplyDeleteOh to give for the right reasons – such a good point. And that point about Rome – not many people know that. Wow. So true. And it all comes back to love. This was awesome Lynda. Thank you. God Bless and keep you and all of yours.
ReplyDeleteYou do such a great job with your posts, Lynda. I wish I could write so eloquently. I have been thinking about you all day. I pray you find peace:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful challenge to my heart today! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to come link up your post at my “Encouragement is Contagious!” linky party! And… please link up some of your other favorites from blogs you love! Then, those bloggers will also get lots of unexpected, encouraging comments! It’s all about encouraging one another for His praise!
Blessings!
Melanie
What a lovely post. My father in law was such an example of giving without recognition. Only after he had passed away did we learn that he would often find a begger on the street and he would take him into a cafe close to Temple Square in Salt lake and feed him both a lunch and a first discussion about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
The act of Giving is like the words "I'm sorry" - it is all about the attitude, the heart of it and the truth of it that makes it of value! Wonderful post on a subject that is not often handled with a loving attitude.
ReplyDeleteRechecking to see if my last comment made it thru:) and it looks like it didn't. I always love your heartfelt posts. My husband and I donate every year to a charity in Africa and one day I really really want to do a more hands on charity like building a home or delivering meals to the elderly. Because I would feel better as just sending a check seems so impersonal to me and I think hands on service is more of what Jesus wanted us to do.
ReplyDelete