Today, we continue on the theme of giving to try and understand this principle that God Himself has established. Why we should give to God. My brother, my sister, know that in giving, your motivations are crucial, because you can give with wrong or right motives. Before even looking into the motives, you need to understand that we give back to God because He has first given to you and you action is actually to please Him. He gave you the breadth of life, He gave you your family (whether you like everyone in it or not) He gave you Jesus! Let’s first examine the WRONG MOTIVES OF GIVING. The Bible says when giving, you don’t need to blow the trumpet for people to know you have given (Matthew 6:1-4). That just shows the pride hidden behind your giving. The same, if you are giving with a sense of guilt or a heart filled with greed, there is need for repentance. Let’s clarify this: many people misunderstand this verse “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38) as they interpret it as a promise for God to give you more in return of your giving. Remember that the Lord has already given you before you even give? Therefore this verse should not be interpreted in terms of material giving as it is often preached in churches. That is the reason why some people don’t understand that, as a result of their generous giving, they in fact find themselves lacking more than before. And even if God gives back, remember that His gifts are more spiritual than material, for He is more interested in your spiritual life than your earthly life! So by you giving generously, He can increase your faith and trust in Him… not necessarily your bank account! Another bad reason to give is giving under pressure. Today, it’s common to hear stories about people who are responding to high-pressure tactics of Christian fund-raisers. The Bible is clear about this: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The same, don’t ever give because you are promised prayers or something, for such a thing is nothing more than a worldly gimmick used to make you give. The Bible says: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). Now, what are the RIGHT MOTIVES OF GIVING? What motives make your giving right before the Lord? My friend, you should give because you recognize that God has given to you first. The Bible says: “y good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). He gave His Son to provide for our salvation. He “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). He “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Yes, God has given so abundantly to us that we should respond by giving generously back to Him. And that is the only reason why we should give to God! My friend, know that God is God is glorified when you give from the right motives and in the right way (2 Corinthians 9:13). And to glorify God is the most important goal in every Christian’s life. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]