What’s Your Motive?

There is an interesting statement in the Bible about the book publishing business. It says, “Of making many books, there is no end.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Of asking for charitable funds, there also seems to be no end.

What then should the Christian do? She certainly can’t give to every ministry which asks! So, what should control his giving? The Bible has some over-riding principles and answers to those questions.

Over the next little while, we’ll look at these principles. The first one is motive.

Giving has been a part of God’s plan for us from the very beginning of time. Before Adam and Even had even sinned, God gave Himself to them in fellowship. God gave Israel rules and laws so they could live in comfort, peace, and joy. God gave prophets and kings to lead His people into righteousness, justice, and victory.

When we rejected all those first and wonderful gifts, He gave His Son to die for our sins. And the reason God gave and gave and gave again is because of love. Look at the Bible’s most familiar verse in John 3:16:

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God gave from love so that you could inherit eternal life.

When you give to the work of God, love should be the over-riding motive. And when you give to this ministry, it will be because of you that others will inherit eternal life.

(Taken from Godly Motives For Giving by Cal Bombay [out of print]).

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