Do You Give Out Of Guilt?
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
Have you ever wondered why we give? Why do you give? What really motivates you to give? Keep in mind I am not just talking about money and resources. I am also talking about your time, energy, and your heart. Why do you give what you have? What motivates you to give to others, if not to God? Have you wondered that about yourself?
If you haven’t taken the time to think through these questions, I want to challenge you to do that today. More specifically, I want you to think about whether or not guilt has anything to do with the reason you give.
For many people, the reason they give is they are afraid they will feel guilty if they don't give. They don’t want to feel guilty. Therefore, they give because they are afraid that God will get them if they aren’t generous.
I have heard people say, “I didn't give a tithe last week and my car broke down. Wouldn't you know it? It cost me the very same amount that I was supposed to give to the Lord. I ended up paying it to the mechanic.” God doesn't work like that. He will not zap you. This is a struggle for many people because they think if I don't give, I will get into trouble. That is not the proper motivation.
Giving is a very personal, very private thing. It is between you and the Lord. Whether you give a little or a whole lot, God bless you. If you only give what God is telling you to give, God bless you. The point is that you should be giving out of an act of obedience, not a fear of guilt or punishment.
So if you’re struggling with giving out of guilt, I pray you are encouraged today that God doesn’t want you to be motivated by guilt. He wants you to give because you love Him and want to obey Him. He wants you to give out of gratefulness for all that He has given you. May you dwell on these truths in the days to come as you give back to Jesus what is already His and rid yourself of any guilt that is weighing on your heart.
Have you ever wondered why we give? Why do you give? What really motivates you to give? Keep in mind I am not just talking about money and resources. I am also talking about your time, energy, and your heart. Why do you give what you have? What motivates you to give to others, if not to God? Have you wondered that about yourself?
If you haven’t taken the time to think through these questions, I want to challenge you to do that today. More specifically, I want you to think about whether or not guilt has anything to do with the reason you give.
For many people, the reason they give is they are afraid they will feel guilty if they don't give. They don’t want to feel guilty. Therefore, they give because they are afraid that God will get them if they aren’t generous.
I have heard people say, “I didn't give a tithe last week and my car broke down. Wouldn't you know it? It cost me the very same amount that I was supposed to give to the Lord. I ended up paying it to the mechanic.” God doesn't work like that. He will not zap you. This is a struggle for many people because they think if I don't give, I will get into trouble. That is not the proper motivation.
Giving is a very personal, very private thing. It is between you and the Lord. Whether you give a little or a whole lot, God bless you. If you only give what God is telling you to give, God bless you. The point is that you should be giving out of an act of obedience, not a fear of guilt or punishment.
So if you’re struggling with giving out of guilt, I pray you are encouraged today that God doesn’t want you to be motivated by guilt. He wants you to give because you love Him and want to obey Him. He wants you to give out of gratefulness for all that He has given you. May you dwell on these truths in the days to come as you give back to Jesus what is already His and rid yourself of any guilt that is weighing on your heart.
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3 Comments
We get to Give not give to Get!!
I love to give to the Lord. I have fun serving the Lord and there are many rewards for doing so
Thank You JESUS !