Giving Beyond The Law

The riches you impart form the only wealth you will always retain. -Martial.

Giving is a matter of the heart – it is based on motive. I should give because it is good, not because it will make me look better or placate my guilt. God’s Word says:

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure - "play actors' I call them - treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense.” (Matthew 6:1-8, The Message).

Obviously, adultery and murder are sins. But we must also guard against committing heart-sins, heart-adultery, heart-murder, and heart-religion. All that we do must be done from an inward, Holy Spirit-inspired vital principle, so that who we are and what we do may be approved of God, not by man.

Empty acts for appearances only produce a present, temporary reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith.