Biblical motivation to give

I Kings17:8-16
God told Elijah to go to a town where a woman would feed him during a time of famine. She was a Gentile woman who believed in Yahweh. She said she barely had enough for one meal for her son and her. Elijah asked her to feed him first and then herself and as she did so she would not run out of food during this drought. She then acted in faith and did what she was told. So, what do you think happened?! The Lord fulfilled his promise because of how she LIVED OUT her faith in her actions. What a call to TRUST and OBEY His Word and specifically to give FIRST to the Lord.

Malachi3:8-12
Malachi was addressing Israel’s rebellious spirit in specifically robbing God. They had turned away from faith and obedience in God. I find it interestingly that the Israelites claimed ignorance, “How have we robbed you?” They were either blind to their sin or denying their guilt of not giving their tithes and offerings. A reminder for me pointed out in James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all”. However, back to the point, failure to support God’s temple was robbing Him. God promised blessings to the Israelites when they obeyed His commands and curse if they did not.

Matthew6:19-21
Ahh, treasure… What is our treasure?! Where do I put my time, energy, skills, money? Where is my heart? Jesus calls us to store our treasures in heaven. Why? Everything on earth decays or is stolen or lost. Where as everything in heaven CAN NEVER be!. Where are you storing your treasure? Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there is your heart found. What do I love? What does God love? What do I need to change?

Luke 8:3;10:1-7
Here in scripture, many women were giving out of their own for the ministry of Jesus and his disciples. They witnessed the power of God and on their own accord of their own means, motivated by what Christ did for them; they acted out their thankfulness and belief in giving what they could. In chapter 10, Jesus sends out followers in twos to 1. pray for workers 2. warning it will be dangerous 3. travel lightly and with haste 4. stay in homes where they show hospitality for their provision of food and place to stay is wages for the followers work.

2Corinthians 8:1-15
Paul speaks of the generosity of the churches of Macedonia. They gave an over and beyond, were joyful in their hardship that was a result of the over generosity, not only gave, but had a desire to give so much so they “begged” to participate. WOW! How many times have I done that? They gave themselves to God first and then to them by God’s will. Paul encouraged them to continue on in the love they are demonstrating by reminding them of Christ’s demonstration. He became nothing that we could have everything.

I Timothy5:17, 18; 6:17-19
The elders, those who were in charge of overseeing the congregation, preaching and teaching, were worthy of wages for their work, even double wages. Paul was instructing those who had wealth not to fix their hope in it, but to put their hope in God and in so doing put them to good works, sharing generously. This is the way to store up treasures in heaven. For life is not made up of material possessions which can not be kept, but of Christ himself, which is eternal and can not be taken away.

3 John 1:5-8
John was commending their hospitality and particularly to the “traveling missionaries” for providing for them as worthy of God. Giving generously to them was as giving to Christ himself. They went out for the honor of Christ’s name and Christians are under obligation to support such “to work together for the truth”.

God receives glory and gives blessings to both the giver and receiver at their faith demonstrated in their obedience. The giver and receiver are also united in the body working together for the truth. My motivation to have others partner with me: I can’t do anything alone. I need God’s hand and the body of believers. I can ask others to give because they are like minded and understand (play in the same sandbox). It is understood that it is our calling to work together as a body, to generously provide for others needs for the purpose of Christ being proclaimed and glorified. People can give their time, monetarily, in prayer, with words of encouragement, and counsel.