REASONS FOR GIVING TO GOD
The Bible tells us different reasons people give to God. But it also tells us, “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” (Corinthians 9:7). “For 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).
DIFFERENT REASONS PEOPLE GAVE TO GOD IN THE BIBLE
The Bible tells us: “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)
SOME MAY REASON LIKE SOME PHARISEES
In another place in the Bible, Jesus said, concerning some people: “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others” (Matthew 23:5-7).
SOME MAY REASON LIKE THE POOR WIDOW
Like the widow, some may believe the Lord God 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 6:38).
Like the widow, some may remember 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).
SOME MAY GIVE BECAUSE GOD FIRST LOVED US.
Some believe and respond with gratitude when the Bible tells us:
- God first loved us (1 John 4:19)
- 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 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).
- God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
- All things, including us, have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16).
- 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 it “for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23-24). And do it as love for him because he first loved you; and plans to live you in heaven forever (1 John 4:19); John 14:3).
