GIVNG PURELY

I have wondered about pure ways to give. So much giving in our culture, both religious and secular, seems to include virtue casting, guilt, and manipulation, or Old Testament law of percentage tithing, pledges, flailing the flock with obscure Old Testament scriptures (i.e., Malachi 3:8-11). Or, in the secular, showing pictures of abused animals, cleft palate children, etc. Emotional exploitation.

So, how do we give purely and freely? I don’t think it is possible until we become totally honest about Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We are as pure and free to give our treasure (money, or anything else) as our heart will allow. Otherwise, we may be giving from guilt, shame, Law, custom, tradition, or pressure from church groups or false humility expectations, emotional exploitation… or a tax write-off. Help us, Lord.

Would we give if we got nothing from it but the joy of giving it? Maybe giving purely is giving silently and secretly. “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) Perhaps we give to see God purely and for no other reason.

“Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth they have their reward! But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” Jesus