Why Does God Want Us to Give?
Giving is a fundamental part of the Christian journey. It is an expression of love, obedience, and faith in God. Throughout Scripture, we see that God calls us to be generous with our money, time, and acts of kindness, not just for the benefit of others but also for our spiritual growth.
Proverbs 19:17 reminds us:
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
When we give, we reflect the character of God—a God who gave His only Son for our salvation (John 3:16). Giving is an act of worship, a way to serve others, and a demonstration that our trust is not in material possessions, but in God.
But how should we give? What does God say about the right attitude, motives, and approach to generosity? And in today’s world—where people often publicize their giving on social media and TV—should Christians showcase their generosity, or should giving remain private? Let’s explore what Scripture teaches.
Giving With the Right Heart
God is not just concerned with what we give, but how we give. Our giving should come from a willing heart, not out of guilt or pressure.
Give Cheerfully, Not Reluctantly
“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)
This means giving should be done joyfully, not grudgingly. If we give only because we feel forced, we miss the blessing and spiritual growth that comes from generosity.
Give Secretly, Not for Show
“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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4)
Jesus warns against giving for public recognition. Giving should not be about seeking applause or approval, but about helping others sincerely.
Ways God Calls Us to Be Generous
a) Giving Our Money
In the Bible, financial generosity is emphasized as a way to support the poor, sustain ministry work, and honor God.
- Tithing & Offerings: Malachi 3:10 encourages believers to bring their tithes to God’s house, trusting Him to provide.
- Helping the Poor: Proverbs 22:9 says, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
b) Giving Our Time
Giving is not just about money—it is also about our time and presence.
- Acts of Service: In Galatians 6:9, we are encouraged to “not grow weary in doing good”. Volunteering, mentoring, and spending time with those in need are valuable forms of giving.
- Being Available for Others: Jesus often paused His schedule to serve others, showing that giving time is just as impactful as giving money (Mark 10:46-52).
c) Giving Through Kind Deeds
Generosity includes small acts of kindness, such as speaking words of encouragement (Ephesians 4:29), helping a struggling neighbor (Luke 10:25-37), and forgiving someone who has wronged us (Colossians 3:13).
Should We Publicize Our Giving?
In recent years, many people film themselves giving money, food, or gifts and post it on social media. Celebrities, influencers, and even churches sometimes publicize their charitable works. But is this biblical?
Some may argue that there are some benefits in doing this such as the fact that seeing acts of generosity may inspire more people to be generous, or some charitable efforts require publicity to attract more support, and some people may be publicizing it based on a vow to give a testimony of God’s love and answer to prayers.
However, there is a risk that there may be an underlying need for attention and Jesus warned against giving for public praise (Matthew 6:1-4). There’s also the aspect where filming someone in need can strip them of dignity and embarrass them. Lastly, true generosity should be between you and God, therefore should be private as scripture advices. The key question we should ask ourselves is, are we glorifying God, or to be seen by people?
Giving as a Lifestyle, Not a One-Time Act
Generosity should not be occasional or performative—it should be a way of life. The thing is, God blesses us so we can bless others (Genesis 12:2) therefore we should give in every season whether in lack or in abundance (Philippians 4:12-13). We have our greatest example of giving in Jesus Christ who gave his life for us.
The world teaches “give to receive”, but God teaches “give because you have received.”
The Heart of Giving
Giving is a reflection of God’s love in us. Whether through money, time, or acts of kindness, we are called to be cheerful, willing, and humble givers. Remember,
- We are called to give with a sincere heart, not for recognition.
- To be generous with money, time, and acts of kindness.
- We should carefully examine our hearts and ensure that our motives behind publicizing our giving is not for recognition but will help to promote the gospel.
- True generosity is a lifestyle, not a performance.
Let’s ask ourselves: Are we giving out of love for God and people, or for attention and approval?
How do you feel about publicizing acts of generosity? Should Christians post their giving online, or should it be private? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Don’t forget to download our free one-year cover-to-cover bible reading plan HERE
Discover more from Biyai Garricks
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.