How many times have we been told, “If you give to God, He will give back to you?” Years ago I heard a message on the subject and was reminded about it today. The pastor used the phrase, “We give to get to give to get to give, etc.” The idea he was trying to get across was that we don’t give just to receive. We give so we can receive more and in turn, be able to give more. And the cycle goes on.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” Luke 6:38 [NKJ]
Yes, there is an incredible spiritual benefit to releasing our money into the hands of the Lord by giving as He leads. But there is also that danger that our motivation is so that He will, in turn, bless us.
Eric Foley, on his blog, Transformational Giving says this:
“We always need to remember this: When one undertakes an activity in order to secure eternal reward or avoid eternal punishment, one is acting out of self-preservation. This is the very root that Christ intends to pluck up and discard. As he says in Luke 9:24, ‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it’ (NIV).“
As I continue on my spiritual journey to a more generous life, I want to see God transform my thoughts, attitudes and motivations. I’m not sure my motives for giving and serving will ever be completely pure, but perhaps I can see less of “me” in the mix in the weeks and months to come!
Renae Nanney
Keynote
Question: What motivates you to give?
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