13d • General discussion
The heart of giving
Lately I have been reflecting on giving.
I believe in generosity. I give what I can, and I give with a willing heart, because everything I have comes from God. Giving is an act of worship, not an obligation.
But my heart is troubled when people are made to feel that their worth, their salvation, or God’s favour depends on what they give. Salvation has never been something that can be bought.
Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 2:8–9 that we are saved by grace through faith. It is the gift of God.
When we look at the tithe in Deuteronomy 14, we see something beautiful. The people brought their tithe before the Lord and shared a meal together in His presence. It was a celebration of God’s provision. And every few years that same tithe was set aside so the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, and the Levite could eat and be satisfied.
God’s heart has always been about worship and caring for people.
In the New Testament we are told that each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. True generosity is born from gratitude, not pressure.
One thing that deeply troubles me is when people are told that if they do not give they are under a curse. Fear has never been the foundation of the gospel. Through Christ we have been set free, and as Jesus works in our hearts He transforms us from the inside out. When we truly understand His grace, generosity begins to flow naturally. We give because we love Him, because we are grateful, and because we want to bless others. Giving motivated by fear of being cursed or by a desire to earn blessing misses the heart of the Father. The kind of giving that pleases God is the giving that flows from love, freedom, and a heart that has been changed by His grace.
I often think about those who don’t yet know God. Many people believe the church only wants their money, and some never walk through the door because they feel they have nothing to offer. But the message of Jesus has never been about what we can give Him. It is about what He has already given us.
I have often imagined a church where giving is simple. A place where people are told, “If you want to give, there is a box at the back.” No pressure, no shame, just freedom to respond to God.
Because when hearts are truly touched by grace, generosity flows naturally.
And I sense the Lord gently reminding His people:
“My house is not built on pressure, but on love. I do not measure hearts by the size of their offering, but by the posture of their surrender. Freely you have received, freely give. Let generosity rise from love, not fear, for where My heart flows, blessings follow naturally.”
God is not after our money. He is after our hearts. And when our hearts belong to Him, generosity becomes a joy.
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The heart of giving
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