Giving is Godly

“Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” (Galatians 2:10)

When it was decided that Paul would preach to the Gentiles and Peter would go to the Jews, the only requirement to the Gentiles was stated in verse 10 of Galatians. It was already in Paul’s heart to do so.

Giving to the poor is like a foundation of the church and one thing God requires of us. Paul gives the Ephesian believers this instruction which illustrates how important it is to give to the poor. “Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, so that he may have something to give to him who needs.” (Ephesians 4:28) The Lord has blessed us so abundantly that instead of hoarding things, God wants us to give. It is God like and righteous to give. Our heavenly Father has given us so much, why wouldn’t we act like our Father and give. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) When Jesus sent out the twelve apostles, He instructed them that as they go to freely give because they’d received so much freely. “And as you go, proclaim, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8) It applies to us. We’ve received so much freely that we should freely give as we go. We can give of our abundance in material things, of our spirit, comfort, wisdom and knowledge by the Holy Spirit and love out of the love we’ve received. Peter and John encounter a lame man begging as they were going to the temple. They didn’t have money to give to him, but gave him of what they had. “But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)

We’ve been commanded to be perfect. “Therefore, be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) One way to be perfect is to give up all we have and follow Christ. This was the commandment Jesus gave the rich young ruler. “Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21) Jesus told him he lacked one thing. “Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21) Many of us are like the rich young ruler. We love our things and are not willing to give it all up. Jesus was specific about whom to give our possessions, to the poor. He said give them away to the poor. Our treasure is where our heart is. Is our heart the Lord’s? Is it in our possessions? “Sell what you have and give alms. Make for yourselves purses which do not become old, an unfailing treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes nor moth corrupts. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:33-34)

Is your heart protesting just about now? You may be thinking that it’s foolish to give up all. Afterall, how will we live? This is hardcore. God requires us to give what He tells us to give. This is done in secret in your prayer closet, between you and the Father. What can you live on without the overflow? Yes, the overflow is what we are to give. God doesn’t want you to beg for a living. He is the Provider and Father Who blesses us in every way. But he doesn’t want us to hold on to the things we don’t need to live on. These treasures have a part of our heart. He wants all of our heart, nothing holding us back from following Him. (Luke 12:34)

The Lord also gave a couple of instructions on giving. We get so focused on the spiritual preaching Jesus that we forget the practical. Unfortunately, the poor have immediate essential needs. James has something to say about this. “My brothers, what profit is it if a man says he has faith and does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and if one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them those things which are needful to the body, what good is it?” (James 2:14-16) Our faith must have good works to back it up. We can tell the poor God will provide. But our actions will speak volumes of God’s provision.

There are promises that God has made to the liberal giver. “He who gives to the poor shall not lack, but he who hides his eyes shall have many a curse.” (Proverbs 28:27) Our heavenly Father is merciful to us and gives us what we need. We are to have mercy on the needy. “The wicked borrows, and never pays again; but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.” (Psalms 37:21) And the Lord requires us to give quietly and discreetly. “Therefore, when you do your merciful deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:2) Do we want our reward to be the glory from men or from the Lord?

In summary, there are many more Scriptures about giving to the poor. But these Scriptures are a place to start. We can show we are children of our heavenly Father by being merciful and give to the poor liberally of what the Lord has abundantly given to us. We can’t outgive God. We will find that the more we give, the more we have to give. “But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.” (2Corinthians 9:6)