Wednesday: The Motives of the Heart
In an earlier lesson we noted the story of the widow’s generous offering. Though minuscule in comparison to other offerings, it was generous because it showed the true nature of her character and heart, prompting Jesus to say, “This poor widow has put in more than all” (Luke 21:3, NKJV).
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God alone (James 4:12) knows our true motives (Prov. 16:2; see also 1 Cor. 4:5). It is possible to have the right actions with the wrong motives. To give out of abundance does not require much faith, but to give sacrificially for the good of others can indeed say something very powerful about our hearts.
Read 2 Corinthians 8:8-15. What is Paul talking about here in regard to giving and the motives for giving? What principles can we take from these texts regarding stewardship?
Whatever your motive for giving may be, it is on a continuum that ranges from ego to altruism. The fight on this continuum between selfishness and giving is fought more frequently than any other spiritual fight. Selfishness will chill a heart that was once on fire for God. The problem comes when we let selfishness into our Christian experience. That is, we find ways to justify our selfishness and do it in the name of Christ.
The bottom line comes down to one word: love. And love cannot be manifested without self-denial, a willingness to give of oneself, even sacrificially, for the good of others.
Unless God’s love is reflected in our lives, our giving will not reflect God’s love. A selfish heart tends to love only itself. We must ask the Lord to “circumcise the foreskin of [our] heart” (Deut. 10:16, NKJV) so that we can learn to love as we have been loved.
Love, the basis of all true beneficence, captures the sum of all Christian benevolence. God’s love directed toward us inspires us to love in return, and it is truly the supreme motive for giving.
| What’s wrong, if anything, with a freewill offering given more out of a sense of obligation than a sense of love? |
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I'd say that eventhoug sometimes we are just giving because it is a habit or tradition, we must continue to do so! But there is a need to reflect on this action, and ask God to help changing our motives! He is the One Who can truly help us with that!
As a friend of mine said to me this week, "If you use (God) as a walking stick, perhaps you do not want to be better, just an excuse!"
How much do we want to be better? How much do we want God's counselings to change our lives? Change for good, not just as an excuse!
We can take a lot of biblical advices and think they are good, but only "practice can make it perfect"...
When we put good thoughts into actions, perhaps that can truly help us to change for real!
The only thing that we cannot forget is that above all, God is in control and He is love! Can we change because of love too?
What’s wrong, if anything, with a freewill offering given more out of a sense of obligation than a sense of love?
If we are conscious of obligation, what we are giving is no longer “freewill”—it is sign that the faith and love of Jesus are not in what we are doing. This does not mean that we should not give. This knowledge about our motive should bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24), so that as the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), he can make us into his image in spite of ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Even if our feelings tell us otherwise (that is, the drudgery of obligation), if we are acting because we believe what God says, it is not sin—it is faith. (This principle is explained in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans 14:23.) This is what it means to overcome: Not to succumb to the power of the Deceiver by believing his lies about God, but to believe what God has told us and to put that faith in action to do his will, instead of ours—in spite of self. (Luke 22:42.)
Not a hundred years ago and not a hundred miles from here, I attended the worship services of a congregation (not adventist) whose chapel was equipped with an “altar” behind the pulpit. Above the altar was a framed print of a painting intended to represent Jesus. There were candles on the altar and acolites lighted them at the beginning of the worship service. At one point in the service, ushers passed offering plates. After we had placed our offerings in the plates, they were handed to the minister and, while the congregation sang a song (one I don’t sing anymore), the minister stood in front of the pulpit facing the pulpit, altar and picture and held the offering plates up in a manner that seemed to me to represent “presenting” the offering to the picture.
I didn’t speak with the minister about it but I imagine if I had asked, the minister would have said that he was presenting the offering to the God the picture represents--not to the picture per se.
More recently, I attended a worship service of another congregation (same denomination) where there was a cross on the altar behind the pulpit--no picture. Acolites lighted the candles on the altar at the beginning of the service. After the offerings had been placed in the offering plates, the worship leader held the offering plates in his hands and, standing between the pulpit and the altar and facing the altar, offered a prayer. He didn’t raise the offering plates during the prayer.
I consider the members of both of those congregations to be brothers and sisters in the Lord. Both congregations use music I consider worshipful. The second congregation sang not one but two Fanny Crosby songs!
But I have some questions. Are the worship practices of a congregation only idolatry if there is a crucifix instead of a framed print or a cross? Are those practices only idolatry if the congregation kneels facing the framed print or the cross? Does my participation in the service--even if it is only to sing when the congregation sings--constitute tacit approval of something I would never do myself and never suggest if I were a member of that congregation?
Today's lesson says "God's love directed toward us inspires us to love in return..."
I am starting to realise that the reality is closer to 'God's love directed toward us inspires us to love in unison with Him' ... to join with Him in having the core attribute of His nature be the core attribute of our nature - the same core attribute the underpins every principle that promotes true, harmonious life within the Kingdom of God.
An offering given only because of obligation is not a free will offering. Most parents are willing to give their last morsel in order to keep their children alive. That is only actuated by love.
Some men will lavish gifts on their significant other. Even a kidney if the need arises. Why? Deep rooted love. Unless we have a deep seated love for God , our will can never surrender to making sacrificial offerings that make us happy.
Whenever selfishness arises we need to ask God for a heart transplant because this means that love is lacking. Both for God and each other
God said He loves us and gave us proof in John 3:16. What proof do as He have that we love Him?
The point to be made upfront is that giving is emblematic of God's character. Our giving is derived from God Himself. We see His giving in the very first Chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1.
A freewill offering is an expression of the giving of one’s self first to God. While it is possible to give out of obligation, however that giving benefits us nothing, as we learn from 1 Corinthians 13:3. Godstone giving demonstrates what lies behind the giving, namely genuine love. It's a sacrificial and propitious giving. Indeed,the greatest freewill offering ever made and will ever be made was from God the Father by freely giving His One and only Son, Jesus Christ. Christ in full agreement of God's giving, voluntarily gave His life so that all humanity who accept Him might be saved. In response to that giving, God expects and will accept the best from His people. In this regard, it's important to note that offerings are by definition a tangible expression of a commitment of the heart to God, giving something of value and meaning as a means of thanksgiving and praise to God. Further,giving is a spiritual matter. It is a relational issue because as we continue to give offerings we affirm the value of that relationship with God as His children. Worship and joy are common denominators in the giving of offerings. As we continue to give offerings from the heart, we experience the amazing joy of a personal connection with our Lord and Master. Praise the Living God!
so for us to reach heaven we must be good stewards ,if we can follow the God first principle as God s stewards this will lead to heaven God bless us thank u
How does that square with "whosoever believes in me will not perish, but have everlasting life"?
No, being good stewards is not a requirement for Heaven. But those who have been given and accepted the free ticket to Heaven will naturally bear fruit, including being good stewards. And that is a growth process, it doesn't instantly happen, because we don't instantly fully appreciate what God has given us.
1 John 4:8,16 tell us that God is love. Love is the very basis of His kingdom. If we hope to be a part of that kingdom some day, shouldn’t we be practicing agape love every day? Is it also true that God is kind? If we could learn to be constantly kind to those around us, would we truly be more Godlike? May God bless you all for your good work , happy Sabbath to you all,From Jesus Jocelyne and James.