In the Bible, giving generously is not only a commandment, but it also comes with blessings.
In the Old Testament, God challenges the Israelites to test Him by giving generously and promises to open the floodgates of heaven in return. In Malachi 3:10, God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
This promise is not just limited to the Israelites of the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
When we give generously, we demonstrate our trust in God’s provision, and we open ourselves up to receive blessings from Him. These blessings can come in many forms, including financial provision, peace of mind, and even physical healing. But the most significant blessing of giving is the joy and satisfaction that come from knowing that we have helped others and fulfilled our calling to love and serve our neighbours.
However, it’s important to note that our motivation for giving should never be to receive blessings or rewards from God. Our giving should always be an act of worship and obedience to Him, motivated by love and gratitude for all that He has done for us. As we give, we should do so with a cheerful heart and a desire to bless others, rather than a focus on what we will receive in return.
Giving generously is not just a commandment, but it is also a pathway to blessings and fulfilment in our lives. We can trust in God’s promise to open the heavens and pour out blessings upon us as we give generously from a place of love and obedience to Him.