Posts with the tag “giving”

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret." – Matthew 6:3-4 Jesus did not suggest that generosity is optional. He expected it. What He corrected was not the action itself, but the heart behind it. He called His followers to a higher standard, one that refuses to make generosity about attention, approval, or a...  Read More

"So whenever you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." – Matthew 6:2 In Matthew 6, Jesus was not just warning against prideful giving. He was exposing the hearts behind the performance. In His day, the temple had thirteen metal collect...  Read More

"Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." – Matthew 5:42 Generosity is not about guilt. It is not about giving to anyone who asks, without thought or discernment. Jesus was not calling you to be naive or irresponsible. He was calling you to be compassionate. His words in this verse point to a posture of the heart, not just a reaction to every re...  Read More

"And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." - Matthew 5:40 This verse would have shocked the original audience. In Jesus’ day, a person’s outer cloak was untouchable. It was their right, protected by Mosaic Law. If someone sued you and took everything, they could not take your coat. It was essential for survival and was often used as a blanket at night. Givi...  Read More

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" - 1 Samuel 16:7   I want to encourage you into a personal reflection today. Spend some time thinking through this question: What does Jesus see when He gazes into your hea...  Read More

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 In the early days of the Church, believers exemplified a remarkable lifestyle of generosity. Acts 4:32 recounts, “Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his posse...  Read More