REASONS FOR GIVING
Scriptures show us different reasons for giving. The Bible says, whatever things were written before were written for our learning (Romans 15:4).
PEOPLE GIVE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. (Mark 12:41-44)
MAYBE FOR SHOW
Jesus said the Pharisees did everything for people to see–for show: They wore noticeably religious clothes; they loved the place of honor at banquets, and the most important seats in the synagogues; they loved to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and be called ‘Rabbi.’ (Matthew 23:5-7).
MAYBE FOR THANKS AND TRUST IN GOD
Perhaps the poor widow gave because she was thankful that God provided for her and her family.
Maybe she remembered the scripture that said: “ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10).
Then she may have heard the Lord and believed him when he said: “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 10:38).
GOD GIVES BECAUSE HE LOVES
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, loved us so much, as did the Father, that he gave up his divine throne in heaven and took the form of man, that he might die for the sins of the world. (Philippians 2:6-8; John 10:17-18)..
REASONS WE SHOULD GIVE BACK TO GOD
- God first loved us (1 John 4:19)
- All things have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16).
- God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
- In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28)
- God meets all our needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
- Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior said, “no one has ever given up anything for his sake, who will not receive many times more in this present age, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 1:10-11). Do it with all your heart, as doing for the Lord, and not for people (Colossians 3:23-24). And do it as love for him because he first loved you (1 John 4:19).
