Motivation is important to God. You know, like, the reason we do things. Although we are sinful creatures by nature, those of us that are being indwelt by the Holy Spirit have a new nature to combat the old nature. We've been "born again" as Jesus says in John 3. Jesus also gives us, the born again ones, a lot of instructions about having the right motives. Matthew 6 lays it out very eloquently.
Matthew 6:1 warns us not to "practice our righteousness" before people to "be SEEN" by them. Jesus goes on to warn us about giving (6:2), praying (6:5,7) and fasting (6:16). All of which, if done with improper motivation, will not receive any response from God. Jesus warns that if our motivation is to please men, then we may as well not even bother. James (James 4:3), the half-brother of Jesus, says it this way in reference to out motives when it comes to prayer: "You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts." Wow, that's a gut punch!
Why am I writing this? I actually want to talk about our motivation in giving. Many times, giving is misunderstood in the church. Many give to be seen by others and to have their name called during some recognition program. Others give because they feel compelled to. Still, others give in order to obey scripture. I am not even going to get into amounts. 10%, 20% or "as each has purposed in their own heart" (2 Cor 9:7) or even "according to their ability..." (Acts 11:29). Regardless of the amount, the motive MUST be proper.
As I was studying the other night in Deuteronomy 15, I was intrigued by a passage as it relates to giving to those in need. That's something that we should all consider when we think about giving. Many of us put boatloads of money into the church but will refuse to feed a homeless person or part with a dollar or two for fear of "what they are going to do with the money." We really don't think about giving to the poor because there's really no glory in that. Many times, it goes unnoticed, there is no plaque given for being a sliver, gold or platinum level donor. There is no instant recognition or pats on the back and many times, it may only be a one time encounter with the person that we are giving to.
In context, as the Israelites were contemplating their move to Canaan and being taught about the blessings that went along with that, God also taught them about giving to the poor. First of all, God instituted a sabbatic year. Every seven years, the debts of those that owed creditors were remitted. This is carried over into the New Testament with the Lord's Prayer. "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." God said that among the Israelites, there would be no poor because of His blessings. This is an interesting statement in light of verse 7. Did God mean that there would not be any poor Israelites? Is this double speak? I don't think so. God doesn't operate in double speak. Let's look at verse 4 first:
"But there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess"
So God says here there will be no poor because of His blessings in the Promised Land, the Land in the book of Numbers that was said to be flowing with milk and honey. Why would he say this? Many word-of-faith preachers would use this to prop up their "prosperity gospel" without continuing to read. Now, let's look at verse 7 and 8:
"“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be."
So are we seeing why there will be no poor? Not because there wouldn't technically be any poor, but because there would be those with enough riches to "lend" [please note that it did not say give away, although there is nothing wrong with that- see verse 10] to the poor "brother" (see verse 2 and 3) and MAKE SURE that he has enough for his need, whatever it may be! WOW! Do you see the fact that God has a thing for community and love for one another? James and John also address this concept.
James 2:15 "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what goodb is that?"
1 John 3:17 "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person?"
We see here that giving is ordained by God and being a help to a brother or a sister in need expresses the love of God to that person! Giving is a work that should be an outgrowth of our faith and it does not always have to be in an offering tray. I am not saying don't give to your local church, giving is vital to the survival of the church. What I am saying is that being a giver is being obedient to God.
Although this is centered on monetary giving, it doesn't always have to be money. Maybe there is a young man or young woman that is devoid of a role model. Can you be a role model to them? Maybe the church needs painting or needs some light bulbs to be replaced. Do you have the means to do it? Can you buy the bulbs? Or better yet, can you take some time to put them in?
Can you see my point? Maybe or maybe not. Let's look at something else though. When we give, be it money, time, effort or whatever, we should model God in giving. Jesus said that when we give, we will also receive good measure, pressed down, shaken together ( Luke 6:38). Is the motivation giving to get? No, it shouldn't be. Many do. That's why "sowing seeds" is so popular and why so many people get lassoed into that warped theology. They give with the motivation that the larger the seed, the larger return I can expect. Yes, the measure that you mete our will be meted unto you, yes he that sows sparingly will also reap sparingly (2 Cor 9) but if that measure is based on your own greedy expectations of a huge windfall in return, as James said, don't expect anything! We should give because God gave to us first. The idea of remission of debts in Deuteronomy 15 is based on the fact that God proclaimed remission. God gave the order to remove debts every seven years.
God says this about the motivation to give in verse 9: "Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the LORD against you, and you be guilty of sin."
God says give, even if the time of remission is near and there is NO guarantee of a return! Give anyway, because God gave to us. Give because if giving is not done grudgingly, there is a blessing attached to it. See verse 10, give generously and God will bless you in all of your work and undertakings.
Let's take this home. God gave to us first. In creation, He gave of Himself because He wanted to share something of Himself. God also gave in that He prepared EVERYTHING that man needed prior to man's creation. Flowers, vegetables, fruit, animals and God even watered everything and kept it green for man (Genesis 2:6). God gave man the Law to guide us but to also, in a broader sense, to point to man's imperfection and the need for a perfect One to come and fulfill the Law. God is a cheerful giver if there ever was one, and He gives with one motivation, LOVE. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that he GAVE His only Son. God gave Jesus to be the payment for our debts that we owed because of our sin! God will grant remission of sin upon our acceptance of this payment! Let's finish the verse, ...that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life! Give with love as the motivation and God will bless you for it. Grace and peace.
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