Giving: guilt or fear?

[Stone-n-Steel]

This is of course a very difficult topic for believers and those who lead in the ministry.

If your motivation for giving is that you love God then at some point you will not have to give, and feel guilt over how you managed your finances. To say that God loves a cheerful giver is very nice, but that becomes a strong manipulation when that offering plate comes to you in front of the whole congregation.

If you give to God based on your fear that God will not think you love him enough there is a simple answer. God loves you no matter what you give. This then puts you back in the guilt cycle where you question your love and not if God loves you.

In a perfect world God would shower us with physical blessing and we would have to give as an expression of our love for a perfect God. However I don't see this perfect world through my eyes. What motivates you to give to the ministry and can you honestly say there is no guilt or fear in that motivation?

 

[brinny]

Hmmmmm.....i'd venture to refer to what is written, and that is that we should NOT give from compulsion or begrudgingly, etc, but only what our heart rejoices in giving. Otherwise don't give at all.

If we love and DELIGHT in God, how can we help but NOT give, and joyfully?

The bottom line, is that we can NOT "out-give" God.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Motivation for giving? I think the work of the Church is worth investing in. I'm willing to give to support an institution that provides opportunity for worship, nurtures the faith of Christians, and provides outreach to non-Christians or people in need.

Guilt? A little yes. I have always thought giving was important, but early in my life I didn't have enough resources to support the church as I would like. I always thought when I had more, I'd give more. Now, I am in a much better financial position and I can do that. I try to never show up at church empty-handed. I have some guilt over not having been able to give more earlier, so I'm trying to make up for it now.

Fear? Absolutely not.

 

[PizzaAddict]

This is of course a very difficult topic for believers and those who lead in the ministry.

If your motivation for giving is that you love God then at some point you will not have to give, and feel guilt over how you managed your finances. To say that God loves a cheerful giver is very nice, but that becomes a strong manipulation when that offering plate comes to you in front of the whole congregation.

If you give to God based on your fear that God will not think you love him enough there is a simple answer. God loves you no matter what you give. This then puts you back in the guilt cycle where you question your love and not if God loves you.

In a perfect world God would shower us with physical blessing and we would have to give as an expression of our love for a perfect God. However I don't see this perfect world through my eyes. What motivates you to give to the ministry and can you honestly say there is no guilt or fear in that motivation?

Yea very true , but If person has ability to help other and does not while other person has ability and does help then the 2nd person will be rewarded more in heaven by Jesus than the 1st one. Christianity is not just salvation from hell Jesus said he will give rewards multiple times in parables or his letters to Churches.

Money is simply piece of paper with marks on it it's really what it is , the value of it is given because of trust and belief of people in it so use it to get true riches which will last you forever instead of temporary ones which will be stolen from you anyways by inflation .

 

[grasping the after wind]

Yea very true , but If person has ability to help other and does not while other person has ability and does help then the 2nd person will be rewarded more in heaven by Jesus than the 1st one. Christianity is not just salvation from hell Jesus said he will give rewards multiple times in parables or his letters to Churches.

Money is simply piece of paper with marks on it it's really what it is , the value of it is given because of trust and belief of people in it so use it to get true riches which will last you forever instead of temporary ones which will be stolen from you anyways by inflation .

It seems you are saying the motivation for giving is that one hopes or even expects by giving to be rewarded more than others.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

Hmmmmm.....i'd venture to refer to what is written, and that is that we should NOT give from compulsion or begrudgingly, etc, but only what our heart rejoices in giving. Otherwise don't give at all.

If we love and DELIGHT in God, how can we help but NOT give, and joyfully?

The bottom line, is that we can NOT "out-give" God.

I agree fully with 2Cor 9:7 where it applies to attitude. I also know that we cannot "out-give" God since every thing is already his. I prefer to do most of my giving based on the necessity of the saints which shows up as individuals more than groups. I currently attend a small church that has a box at the door and little is mentioned about giving during service. We do talk about need and as the group needs I do my best to provide.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

Motivation for giving? I think the work of the Church is worth investing in. I'm willing to give to support an institution that provides opportunity for worship, nurtures the faith of Christians, and provides outreach to non-Christians or people in need.

Guilt? A little yes. I have always thought giving was important, but early in my life I didn't have enough resources to support the church as I would like. I always thought when I had more, I'd give more. Now, I am in a much better financial position and I can do that. I try to never show up at church empty-handed. I have some guilt over not having been able to give more earlier, so I'm trying to make up for it now.

Fear? Absolutely not.

Before Christ apprehended me I was in an excellent position to provide financially, and I did so to my self mostly. Now that I have believed that Jesus died for me it seems as if the world does not offer its wealth to me like it did before. I do feel richly blessed spiritual and am able to help some in need, however I do attend a church empty handed some time and don't feel guilt from it. I enjoy providing with my time the most.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

Yea very true , but If person has ability to help other and does not while other person has ability and does help then the 2nd person will be rewarded more in heaven by Jesus than the 1st one. Christianity is not just salvation from hell Jesus said he will give rewards multiple times in parables or his letters to Churches.

Money is simply piece of paper with marks on it it's really what it is , the value of it is given because of trust and belief of people in it so use it to get true riches which will last you forever instead of temporary ones which will be stolen from you anyways by inflation .

A doctrine that I heard first in my church is that in 1Cor. 11:17-34 some people were coming to the church to share the bread and cup with people who were sick and dying because they had so little. I do believe that our rewards in Heaven are connected to how we live today, out of a pure heart. If you give to the poor or a church for a tax write-off then you are like the Pharisees who had their reward from public displays of piety.

 

[grasping the after wind]

A doctrine that I heard first in my church is that in 1Cor. 11:17-34 some people were coming to the church to share the bread and cup with people who were sick and dying because they had so little. I do believe that our rewards in Heaven are connected to how we live today, out of a pure heart. If you give to the poor or a church for a tax write-off then you are like the Pharisees who had their reward from public displays of piety.

And what are you like when you give as a trade for future considerations?

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

It seems you are saying the motivation for giving is that one hopes or even expects by giving to be rewarded more than others.

I'm sure the Pizza Addict will give you a reply but I would like to say that the same human thinking that goes into our thoughts when we help another also comes in to effect when we give at church. Expecting a reward for services rendered or money given is built in to our flesh. This is one reason that the works based salvation preaching gets received so well. I think our work is to not make it be about our work but to make it the work of Jesus.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

And what are you like when you give as a trade for future considerations?

If I help a little old lady across the street and expect to get a reward in Heaven then I feel I am in the wrong. If I help that lady to show God's glory in helping someone through me then doctrine says I will not have my work burned up (1Cor 3:11-14).

 

[eleos1954]

This is of course a very difficult topic for believers and those who lead in the ministry.

If your motivation for giving is that you love God then at some point you will not have to give, and feel guilt over how you managed your finances. To say that God loves a cheerful giver is very nice, but that becomes a strong manipulation when that offering plate comes to you in front of the whole congregation.

If you give to God based on your fear that God will not think you love him enough there is a simple answer. God loves you no matter what you give. This then puts you back in the guilt cycle where you question your love and not if God loves you.

In a perfect world God would shower us with physical blessing and we would have to give as an expression of our love for a perfect God. However I don't see this perfect world through my eyes. What motivates you to give to the ministry and can you honestly say there is no guilt or fear in that motivation?

I give to organizations that give out lots and lots of tracks, bible literature and bibles (and are read and/or passed around to be read). They can reach a whole lot of people all over the world (in many languages) and know how to do it effectively. Don't have any quilt or fear ... the motivation is ... help get the Good News out!

 

[brinny]

brinny said: ↑
Hmmmmm.....i'd venture to refer to what is written, and that is that we should NOT give from compulsion or begrudgingly, etc, but only what our heart rejoices in giving. Otherwise don't give at all.

If we love and DELIGHT in God, how can we help but NOT give, and joyfully?

The bottom line, is that we can NOT "out-give" God.

I agree fully with 2Cor 9:7 where it applies to attitude. I also know that we cannot "out-give" God since every thing is already his. I prefer to do most of my giving based on the necessity of the saints which shows up as individuals more than groups. I currently attend a small church that has a box at the door and little is mentioned about giving during service. We do talk about need and as the group needs I do my best to provide.

Giving is Part of what we do day by day as well, in the people that we meet etc. I don't believe that there are any "accidents". it isn't always "financial", but an encouraging word, and kindness, and uplifting interactions are part of "giving", and is the reason that we are still on this earth. Those we come in contact with are "holy interruptions" so to speak.

There is always the "anonymous" giving as well and/or "anonymous acts of kindness", in which there are plentiful opportunities.

The bottom line is, whichever it is, it is only with a "merry heart" that one should give "anything", for that is the only way it will be used of God and bless who it is given too, as well as the 'giver".

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

I give to organizations that give out lots and lots of tracks, bible literature and bibles (and are read and/or passed around to be read). They can reach a whole lot of people all over the world (in many languages) and know how to do it effectively. Don't have any quilt or fear ... the motivation is ... help get the Good News out!

A friend of mine in Bible study helps an international radio ministry build towers to broadcast the message in oppressed areas of the world. If I were in a good financial position to do something similar I would help smuggle Bibles into an oppressed nation.

 

[eleos1954]

A friend of mine in Bible study helps an international radio ministry build towers to broadcast the message in oppressed areas of the world. If I were in a good financial position to do something similar I would help smuggle Bibles into an oppressed nation.

It's happening ... in many ways AMEN!

These are pretty amazing.

Back to Jerusalem – Pill-Bible Project

The Lords word is going out like crazy in many many ways ;o)

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

Giving is Part of what we do day by day as well, in the people that we meet etc. I don't believe that there are any "accidents". it isn't always "financial", but an encouraging word, and kindness, and uplifting interactions are part of "giving", and is the reason that we are still on this earth. Those we come in contact with are "holy interruptions" so to speak.

There is always the "anonymous" giving as well and/or "anonymous acts of kindness", in which there are plentiful opportunities.

The bottom line is, whichever it is, it is only with a "merry heart" that one should give "anything", for that is the only way it will be used of God and bless who it is given too, as well as the 'giver".

I have helped people on the street who are in need, but do not have a sign out. I am the person who gets asked for spare change on the way into Walmart to buy some Ramen to eat until payday. Most of the time I don't have money to give and many times I see those same people in the bushes doing drugs from their pan handling. The un-expected random gift seems to work the best for me.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

It's happening ... in many ways AMEN!

These are pretty amazing.

Back to Jerusalem – Pill-Bible Project

The Lords word is going out like crazy in many many ways ;o)

I sure would like to know how the technology works on this idea.

 

[brinny]

I have helped people on the street who are in need, but do not have a sign out. I am the person who gets asked for spare change on the way into Walmart to buy some Ramen to eat until payday. Most of the time I don't have money to give and many times I see those same people in the bushes doing drugs from their pan handling. The un-expected random gift seems to work the best for me.

It is by the unction of God, isn't it? Jesus didn't heal everyone nor give to everyone. We give by the sovereignty of God. I don't always give to panhandlers either. Sometimes i just talk to them and get their names, etc and tell them about the "holy interruptions" and that it is not an accident that we met. i also am reminded of the verse about "angels unawares" and there, right before me is possibly an "angel unaware", in one of the most unlikeliest of "disguises".

"Giving" is a ministry, and is chock full of rare and precious interruptions that God surely ordains. i gravitate to the homeless and those that seem to be most "invisible" and/or "ignored" and "shunned"...

That verse about "angels unawares" comes to mind.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

This is of course a very difficult topic for believers and those who lead in the ministry.

If your motivation for giving is that you love God then at some point you will not have to give, and feel guilt over how you managed your finances. To say that God loves a cheerful giver is very nice, but that becomes a strong manipulation when that offering plate comes to you in front of the whole congregation.

If you give to God based on your fear that God will not think you love him enough there is a simple answer. God loves you no matter what you give. This then puts you back in the guilt cycle where you question your love and not if God loves you.

In a perfect world God would shower us with physical blessing and we would have to give as an expression of our love for a perfect God. However I don't see this perfect world through my eyes. What motivates you to give to the ministry and can you honestly say there is no guilt or fear in that motivation?

I have never given regularly to the offering at my church, and there used to be a man who used to give me a disapproving look when the plate passed me by. One day, I decided I had enough of that, so I told him one Sunday morning that I would put a photograph of a $20 note on the plate next time. He didn't worry me after that.

In a conference once, I said that because I am Presbyterian, I have to be careful about opening my wallet so not to allow the moth to fly out. A pastor got hold of me afterward and gave me a serious lecture about tithing. I felt guilty for at least 10 seconds!

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

I have never given regularly to the offering at my church, and there used to be a man who used to give me a disapproving look when the plate passed me by. One day, I decided I had enough of that, so I told him one Sunday morning that I would put a photograph of a $20 note on the plate next time. He didn't worry me after that.

In a conference once, I said that because I am Presbyterian, I have to be careful about opening my wallet so not to allow the moth to fly out. A pastor got hold of me afterward and gave me a serious lecture about tithing. I felt guilty for at least 10 seconds!

Hilarious reply. I like it.