Giving money is more spiritual than people think. Money represents the very essence of who we are: our time, sweat, energy, and soul that required us to get it. In part, when we give money, we are giving a portion of ourselves to help someone else live better.

In this article, I hope to give you a simple way to understand giving without feeling pressured or manipulated to do so. I've been through this time and time again and finally came up with an easy solution that helps myself and others who are in need.

Generosity

A simple definition of generosity is giving something of yourself to someone else for their benefit without expecting anything in return or in exchange from that person.

But giving is not just tied to money only. You can give your time, talents/skills, food, and clothing. These things can't be quantified by money alone, but wrong teachings have made this a focal point in some churches. So let's look on "how to" give according to the scriptures on giving and money.

In the book of Deuteronomy, the children of Israel were about to enter the land that God gave them and they were to conduct themselves according to His Word. The passage of scripture is packed with so much info that you wonder why there is still an issue with giving!

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 One New Man Bible

"If there is a poor man with you of one of your brothers within any of your gates in your land which the LORD your God gives you, you will not harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother, but you will open your hand wide to him and will surely lend him sufficient for his need, for that which he lacks. Beware that there is not a wicked thought in your heart saying, "The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand" and your eye is evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing and he cries to the LORD against you then it is a sin for you! You will surely give to him and your heart will not be grieved when you give to him. Because of this, the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all that you put your hand to. For the poor will never cease out of the land. (Matt. 26:11,John 12:8) Therefore I command you, "You will open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor, and to your needy in your land."

The hardening of the heart comes from within and it has to deal with the evil eye.


"But whoever would have the resources of the world and would see his brother when he has need and would shut his heart of mercies and compassion from him, how does the love of God remain in him"? 1 John 3:17

"you will not harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother, but you will open your hand wide to him and will surely lend him sufficient for his need, for that which he lacks". Deuteronomy 15:7-8

"Do not think that I came to do away with the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to do away with but to bring abundance, for the Torah (Teaching) to be obeyed as it should be and God's promises to receive fulfillment. Matthew 5:17

The Evil & Good Eye
Jesus talked about the evil eye in His sermon on the mount: "If your eye would be healthy, your whole body will be full of light; if your eye would be evil, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matt. 6:22-23)

The good & evil eye is a Jewish/Hebraic concept that Christians missed when wrong teachings were introduced. If you looked at the Hebrew translation, you would see it much clearer. See below:

The one who has a good eye (who is generous) will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:9 
 
The one who has an evil eye ( stingy, greedy) hastens after riches and does not consider that poverty will come upon him. Proverbs 28:22

Jesus (Yeshua) essentially said that you could gauge someone's spirituality and insight by the way they give of themselves; generously or stingy.

Thought for the day:
Giving money to churches or to the poor is not wrong, but it's "how" you give it that causes you to be right or wrong...

Love Your Neighbor

The two greatest commandments in the Bible is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. The second one is to love your neighbor as yourself. 

To make this plain and simple, are you going to starve yourself, wear torn clothes, have holes in your shoes, and brave the elements of the weather with no shelter? Of course not!

Then why would you let the poor and needy go through those things? Have you harden your heart towards them? Did you know that God considers them to be your brother and sister? Jesus said "You will always have the poor among you..." (John 12:8) So what should you do?


 

"You will surely give to him and your heart will not be grieved when you give to him. Because of this, the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all that you put your hand to." Deuteronomy 15:10

"But the One Who supplies seed to the sower also provides bread for food and He will increase your seed and will increase the yield of your righteousness. Being made rich in all things for every demonstration of generosity; this generosity served through us brings about thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

When you give to someone out of compassion, you are loving your neighbor. You are demonstrating the love of God  by your giving which is an act of loving kindness. Loving someone outside of your normal comfort zone (family and friends) can be seen in your giving to those who are in need.

With that said God, blesses the one who gives to the poor with compassion.

"You will surely give to him and your heart will not be grieved when you give to him. Because of this, the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all that you put your hand to." Deuteronomy 15:10

He that is compassionate in dealing with the poor and needy lends to the LORD and He will reward him. Proverbs 19:17

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms 41:1

 Now, I understand the what Yeshua said, it is more blessed to give {to the poor} than to receive. Acts20:35

God will bless the giver so that they can continue to give. Why? Because they "love" their neighbor and have a willing heart. But why wouldn't He bless the person who is only concerned with themselves? Because He knows that His Goodness and Loving kindness would not be shown through them.

Here are some scriptures that helped me become a "better" giver without feeling pressured or manipulated to do so:

Don't let someone dictate to you in the amount or what to give just because they are using the scriptures. 
Matthew 7:15

Do not give out compulsion or angrily, because you wouldn't want some one giving to you like that.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Don't be judge mental on the individual who is receiving the gifts.  Everyone situation is different and you're not sure what happen to them to get in that predicament. Luke 6:37


Make the decision in your heart today to give and do it with joy & gladness so that you and your entire household will be blessed!