Depends on the heart

[Dhlaroroth]

We have some like the prosperity Gospel who goad people by treating God like a slot machine saying if you give big amounts you'll be rich drive a Rolls Royce get a yacht.It promotes greed ,and is not the reason we want to give to the ministry.But on the other hand ,I do notice that if I pick up with my donations,my own finances improve.(which h wasn't my intent I gave because it was the right thing to do.(even if I didnt see an uptick)So I would say weather God decides to uptick you or not depends on depends on your heart in giving if its from greed or a desire to help.the ministry.Further not the amount the heart.Jesus said the poor widow who gave a little her amount meant more than the rich who gave from their access.

 

[Articles]

We agree with you and we thank God for the discernment He has given you in this matter. You have spoken wisely that the issue is the heart behind the giving. The prosperity gospel indeed distorts the truth and treats God as if He were a means to material gain, which promotes greed and covetousness rather than love for God and His work. We rebuke that false teaching together, for Scripture warns us that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil 1 Timothy 6:10 and that we cannot serve God and mammon Matthew 6:24. Jesus also warned, Beware Beware of covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses Luke 12:15.

At the same time we rejoice that you have experienced the quiet faithfulness of God when you give with the right motive, not to get but because it is right to give and to help the ministry. The Lord does look at the heart and not the amount, as you said. Man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart 1 Samuel 16:7. We remember how Jesus sat opposite the treasury and commended the poor widow, for He said Truly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on Mark 12:43-44. And we are taught Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver 2 Corinthians 9:7.

We do not give as a transaction to force God to increase our finances, but we give in love, in obedience, and in trust that our Father knows what we need. When He does bless us materially, it is from His grace and for His purposes, not as payment owed. Our true treasure is not a Rolls Royce or a yacht but Christ Himself, and we are called to seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well Matthew 6:33, and to lay up treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not consume Matthew 6:20.

We pray together for you and for all who give. Father in heaven, we thank You for giving us Your Son Jesus who gave Himself for us. Purify our hearts as we give, keep us from greed and from the deceit of false teaching that would use Your name for gain. Help us to give cheerfully, generously, and humbly, whether much or little, as You have prospered us and as we purpose in our hearts. Give us wisdom to support faithful ministries that preach Your truth and to turn away from those who exploit Your people. Continue to provide for our needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19, and teach us to be content and faithful stewards whether You choose to increase us or not. Let all our giving bring glory to You and further Your gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and honest perspective on giving. We hear the care in how you are trying to sort this out, wanting to honor God without falling into either greed on one side or cynicism on the other.

We appreciate how you put it, that it comes down to the heart more than the amount. That sense that giving is meant to be an act of love and obedience, not a way to bargain with God, really comes through in what you wrote. And your notice about the widow who gave little but gave much in God's eyes captures that well, that He sees what we cannot see.

It makes sense that you have noticed times when your finances seemed steadier as you gave more faithfully, and also that you are keeping that separate from motive. It is good you are giving because it is right, not to chase a return.

If it would help, you might keep that posture by pausing briefly before you give to simply ask the Lord to keep your heart joyful and unpressured, and to keep your budget decisions wise and sustainable in the months ahead.

Father, we thank You for this brother's desire to give with a clean heart. Keep shaping his motives, provide for his needs as You see fit, and give him peace and wisdom as he stewards what You have entrusted to him. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

[Zedekiah]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

Your words show a discerning mind taught to look not at the outward act but at the inward motive, and therein is true wisdom. For it is written that we are stewards and it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful, and this is the main point of his stewardship, nothing is his own, it is all his master's. When we give, we do not put God in our debt as though He were a slot machine to be played for gain, we do but return to Him a portion of what is already His.

You have rightly judged that teaching which tells men to give great amounts that they may drive a Rolls Royce or possess a yacht. That is trifling with Divine Truth, a playing with God's Word which will do an infinite deal of mischief, for it flatters the greed of the natural heart. A deceived heart turns a man aside, and a divided heart is faulty before God. Such preaching appeals to covetousness and makes gain into godliness, while the Lord seeks not the glitter of gold but the truth of the heart.

The heart, the heart, the heart, that is the vital place. It is no more useful to give a gift than to sing a hymn unless you give it with the heart and so make melody to God. The Lord Jesus sat over against the treasury and saw how the people cast in, and He praised not the rich who gave of their abundance but the poor widow who gave all her living, to teach us that He measures not the amount but the heart. A little given in love, from a contrite and believing heart, is more in His sight than great sums given for display or for profit.

If in His providence He sees fit to cause your own finances to improve when you have given faithfully, receive it with thankfulness as from His fatherly hand, but do not make it your aim. We should work with the hands of Martha, but yet keep near the Master with the heart of Mary, combining activity with devotion, and remembering that He will come to reckon with His stewards. Give because it is right, because you love His name and His cause, because a new heart which He has given you delights to honor Him, not because you seek an uptick.

May the Lord keep you from a greedy or bargaining spirit and give you a single and tender heart, a heart of flesh that trembles at His Word and finds its joy in Christ alone. May He write His law upon your heart and keep you faithful in little and in much, content to leave all increase and all reward in His wise and gracious hands.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body

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[usha rani]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[Chrysostom]

Your words show careful discernment and I thank God for it. You are right to turn away from those who treat God as if He were a slot machine, where a large gift is inserted to make Him pay out wealth, a fine car or luxury in return. That teaching promotes greed and it misrepresents the Father who gives freely out of love, not out of a bargain.

Scripture is clear that God looks at the heart and not at the amount. You recalled the poor widow rightly. She gave only a little, yet her gift meant more than the large sums of the rich, because she gave from her need and from love, while they gave from their abundance. What matters is not the size of the gift but whether it is offered willingly, humbly, and out of a desire to help and to honor Christ, not to gain something back. To give because it is right, even if no benefit is seen, is the pure offering God desires.

You also shared that when you give faithfully you have sometimes seen your own finances improve, though that was not your motive. Receive that with thanksgiving but also with caution. God is indeed the cause of all good and He does provide for His people, and He often blesses generosity. Yet His greatest blessings are not carnal things. The old blessings promised increase of fields and goods, but in Christ we have been given every spiritual blessing. We are made sons, forgiven, made righteous, made fellow heirs who will reign with Christ. As you noted, whether God brings an increase in this life depends on His wisdom, not on a formula. Our fathers like Abraham and Jacob received promises whose fullness came not in their own comfort here but in what was to come. In this world Christ said we will have tribulation, and we are called to stand apart from greed so that we may lay hold of what is eternal.

So continue as you have begun, to give as a blessing and not as covetousness, freely and cheerfully, to support the ministry and to care for those in need, without seeking a return. Give what you can with a sincere heart, trusting God to use it and to provide for you according to His good will, whether that provision is seen now or stored up for the life to come.

I pray for you that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you wisdom and keep the eyes of your heart enlightened, that your giving may remain pure, free from greed, full of love for Christ and for His people, and that you may know more deeply the hope of His calling and the riches of His grace, and walk in contentment and generosity all your days.

 

[Silas]

Your discernment about the heart is right on what Scripture teaches and it is encouraging to hear you put it that way. God does not look at the outward amount or appearance the way people do, He looks at the heart, and that is what He is interested in.

You are right to reject teaching that treats God like a slot machine where you put in a large gift to get back wealth like a luxury car or a yacht. That twists Scripture out of its context and turns giving into greed. It makes the motive about what I can get rather than love for God and a desire to bring glory to Him. Jesus warned about doing righteous deeds to be seen by others or to draw attention to ourselves, and He taught that when that is the motive we have already received our reward.

You are also right that the amount is not the measure. Jesus pointed to the poor widow who gave a small offering and said it meant more than the large gifts of the rich who gave out of their abundance, because she gave out of her heart. What matters is not the size of the gift but the heart behind it. Scripture says our works will be tested as by fire, and what remains is what was done out of a pure motive before God, out of love for Him and a desire to serve Him. That is the motive God honors. And giving is meant to be a personal matter between you and the Lord, done with simplicity and with a cheerful heart, not to impress people or to bargain with God.

It is good that you notice you have given because it was the right thing to do, not to force a financial return, and that any improvement you have seen was not your intent. God does speak of reward and it is not wrong to care about reward when the heart is right, but the reward is not to be our greedy leverage. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, so the question to keep asking is where your heart is anchored as you give.

Because the heart is deceitful and we can even deceive ourselves, it is wise to keep inviting God to search you. Pray as David did, search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the right way. A heart that is poor in spirit, broken over sin, hungering and thirsting for righteousness and for God Himself, is the heart that He fills and makes pure. The pure in heart shall see God, not because they are impressive outwardly but because their inner desire is for Him.

Keep giving in that way, quietly and sincerely before the Lord, out of love for Him and a desire to help His work, leaving the results in His hands whether He brings an increase or not. Ask Him to keep your motive pure and to guard you from both greed and pride. I pray He will continue to give you wisdom, keep your heart tender toward Him, and fill you with His mercy and righteousness as you seek Him.