Why give?

[dreadnought]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

Some people, through no fault of their own, need help.

 

[dqhall]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

Paul accepted the Good Lord's training. Paul advised:
Acts 25:35 (WEB) "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

James 2:14 (WEB) What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

If someone walks up to you and tells you he/she is hungry and asks you for a piece of bread, will you have some to spare?

 

[TuxAme]

Attachment to earthly things isn't healthy. We use money to buy our necessities, but we also squander it on trivial things- designer clothes, bigger TVs, smaller phones, etc. In doing so- while we support the livelihoods of the people who make these things- we ignore the least of us. We ignore Jesus when we spoil ourselves, and so we ignore the duties He has entrusted us with.

There's two reasons (that I can think of) that we are called to care for the poor. Chiefly, we carry out Jesus' charge to care for the least among us. We shouldn't neglect those who are in need. It's against the human person to ignore them in their distress, and while we (one person) can't give to all, we must give to who we can. It satisfies their physical needs, and lets our lights shine.

Second, in doing these things, we build up for ourselves spiritual treasure in heaven- where moth doesn't eat and thieves don't steal what we have made for ourselves. In other words, it's for our own spiritual wellbeing that we do those things. In losing our earthly possessions for such a noble cause, we gain in heavenly "possessions". James tells us that our faith is dead if we give someone a blessing without giving them a coat (I'm paraphrasing), so let's build up our fellow man and build up for ourselves a delightful eternity.

 

[Rescued One]

I love these verses:

1 Chronicles 29
14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.

 

[DamianWarS]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

because we value a system that our rewards are given to us without them being earned or need of repayment. You can begin to realize this for your own income and give freely or you can look at giving as a demonstration and practice of grace as we give to someone who does not earn the money and also cannot repay the money, and this reflects grace.

the Gospel is actually fiercely pragmatic and we should not box grace in to the spiritual realm only but allow it to effect every area of our lives even the monetary and practice giving grace cheerfully and freely to others.

 

[W2L]

Some people, through no fault of their own, need help.

Yes i agree.

 

[W2L]

Paul accepted the Good Lord's training. Paul advised:
Acts 25:35 (WEB) "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

James 2:14 (WEB) What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

If someone walks up to you and tells you he/she is hungry and asks you for a piece of bread, will you have some to spare?

I would hope so.

 

[W2L]

Attachment to earthly things isn't healthy. We use money to buy our necessities, but we also squander it on trivial things- designer clothes, bigger TVs, smaller phones, etc. In doing so- while we support the livelihoods of the people who make these things- we ignore the least of us. We ignore Jesus when we spoil ourselves, and so we ignore the duties He has entrusted us with.

There's two reasons (that I can think of) that we are called to care for the poor. Chiefly, we carry out Jesus' charge to care for the least among us. We shouldn't neglect those who are in need. It's against the human person to ignore them in their distress, and while we (one person) can't give to all, we must give to who we can. It satisfies their physical needs, and lets our lights shine.

Second, in doing these things, we build up for ourselves spiritual treasure in heaven- where moth doesn't eat and thieves don't steal what we have made for ourselves. In other words, it's for our own spiritual wellbeing that we do those things. In losing our earthly possessions for such a noble cause, we gain in heavenly "possessions". James tells us that our faith is dead if we give someone a blessing without giving them a coat (I'm paraphrasing), so let's build up our fellow man and build up for ourselves a delightful eternity.

Thanks. There seems to be many reasons to give.

 

[W2L]

because we value a system that our rewards are given to us without them being earned or need of repayment. You can begin to realize this for your own income and give freely or you can look at giving as a demonstration and practice of grace as we give to someone who does not earn the money and also cannot repay the money, and this reflects grace.

the Gospel is actually fiercely pragmatic and we should not box grace in to the spiritual realm only but allow it to effect every area of our lives even the monetary and practice giving grace cheerfully and freely to others.

Thank you.

 

[thesunisout]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

God doesn't *need* money, but He gives us resources not only to bless us but to bless others.

 

[W2L]

God doesn't *need* money, but He gives us resources not only to bless us but to bless others.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mazvita]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

We give because so God so love the world that He gave his only begotten son. We give so that we know all we have belongs to God who gives us the strength and wisdom to keep on working. We also give to secure what we have and giving is a prayer in action.

 

[Shempster]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

Because God wants us to love others more than money.

 

[brinny]

Paul accepted the Good Lord's training. Paul advised:
Acts 25:35 (WEB) "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

James 2:14 (WEB) What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

If someone walks up to you and tells you he/she is hungry and asks you for a piece of bread, will you have some to spare?

Always.

 

[fat wee robin]

I am only a Stewart of all these things God has given to me house, money, nice vehicles, beautiful view, beautiful wife, sponsorship of a few children in South America, tithing at our local church and other Ministries etc. etc..

We give what's in our hearts and (feel blessed) that we can.

M-Bob

Stewart , a clan from Scotland ,also known by the French spelling ,Stuart ,as in Bonnie Prince Charlie was a Stuart .
Steward ,a kind of servant who organises ,and looks after the affairs of a lord, or master .

 

[W2L]

Because God wants us to love others more than money.

Thanks.

 

[W2L]

We give because so God so love the world that He gave his only begotten son. We give so that we know all we have belongs to God who gives us the strength and wisdom to keep on working. We also give to secure what we have and giving is a prayer in action.

Thank you.

 

[Chronel]

Because it is how the "love" can be delivered.

Imagine a world where the all people are rich, endless money, enough food and resources, people may start to think how to be 'brighter' than any other people. Then, there will be no love in this world.

By giving, we share what the God has given to us, to others. That way, we understand what is love, we see God in others. Love is meant to be given.

Our money belongs to God, it never belong to us. We have more because God would like us to give more.

 

[Victor E.]

Why give to the needy, or to anyone who asks? (Matthew 5:42) Why does God want us to give away our hard earned money?

It keeps your heart in a good spot. It demonstrates that you are not owned by your money (i.e 'the love of money'). Your relationship with God is more valuable than your attachment to your money.

I will say that Christ also taught good stewardship. If you don't have it to give, don't give. If you give out of reluctance or compulsion (being pressured) then don't give unless it is out of love. This is why we need to read the whole Bible or we risk forming demonically legalistic conclusions.

When you are not so tied to your money, you are generally a nicer person. If you want proof of this claim, just look at any homeless person and see how different their character is from very wealthy people (generally speaking) Matthew 19:16-22. Most people not so tied to their earthly life and mammon are generally seen healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead etc...(what God's Kingdom has to offer and their heart is set on what God is doing more than what they want to do).

'Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. 7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]'

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (AMP)

I hope this answered your question. It is a process, I would honor the process before you start feeding directly off of the red letters. The Teachings of the Apostles offer a lot of valuable insight into what Christ already taught.

 

[fat wee robin]

I love this thread ,one of the best ever .So much to hope for ,with such sentiments well expressed .