Giving: guilt or fear?

[public hermit]

There is a practical consideration to take into account when I give to a particular church. If I attend a particular church on a regular basis for worship, activities, etc. then I feel compelled to help carry the financial cost for doing that. Guilt is not an issue in this case, because the cost is something that has to be met if I want to enjoy that space, fellowship, and what-have-you. And, I do consider it given for the love of God in that it contributes to the possibility of that particular space, worship, fellowship, etc. Most churches, I think, release the yearly budget. If I know the relative membership, I can figure out what my contribution would be.

 

[St. Helens]

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[~Zao~]

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.

I remember volunteering at a free store for clothes and food comparing my income (that afforded me a house and car) to that of their drugs. I never expected them to share their drugs with me but couldn’t see the reverse that I had because I didn’t do some things. There was often only enough for decisions over food or tithes. Shame based pressure from outside that were vexatious to the flesh but fought with the spirit within. So volunteering time at a 10% return is 2 1/2 hrs a day, is payment due also, at least that spent in prayerful reading or megatation.
I like to monthly support ministries that Im confident in being responsible for my choice, but aren’t doing so right now.

 

[ChicanaRose]

What motivates you to give to the ministry and can you honestly say there is no guilt or fear in that motivation?

A lot of times, the encouragement to give sounds scripted. We should be able to give commensurate to our abilities and other obligations in life. My mom had to help her struggling sibling out for many years, and that was part of her offering/ sacrifice before God. We cannot all be like the widow with two mites, and I find it incredibly unfair when this passage gets used to encourage people to give beyond their means.

 

[mama2one]

I have helped people on the street who are in need, but do not have a sign out.

like to help people with signs esp. when we see them out in really hot or really cold weather
no one would be out in extreme weather if not a need

other day @ post office & a man came in & heard him say "no check" again, he was really upset so felt that should give him money
he didn't want to take it but I said "know what it's like when you need your check" so he took it & said "God Bless"

I like to give randomly like that

so guilt or fear- no but for those in need

 

[pdudgeon]

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?

You are worried about far too much. It is not why you give, or how you give. or how much you give, or how little you give that is important here.

If these things are causing anyone concern, then they are giving as the world gives.

What is important is twofold:
1. That you are able to give with a free and joyful heart.
2. That you are able to release from your hand what you give.

When you can do that, then you will have peace with the whole matter.