The Motives That Should Be Behind All Christian Giving

 Legalistic rules about giving, together with the unbiblical 'word of faith' movement and its prosperity teaching has given Christians an unbiblical focus, dishonoring the gospel of grace, and has brought Christianity into the state of being held in low esteem by the public. Legalism and prosperity teachings has placed many into bondage under unbiblical, man-made rules. It has twisted the truth of Scripture and dishonors the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Paul spends a considerable chunk of his second letter to the Corinthians discussing the principles and promises that are connected with true, biblical giving, and he identifies cheerful giving as an obedient, generous heart and a beautiful Christian grace that bring blessings to others, benefit to ourselves, and glory to our Father in heaven.
 Paul outlines The Motives That Should Be Behind All Christian Giving.  Each one must give according to what he or she has decided and in accordance with his or her means, and not in compliance with legalistic rules, selfish motives, or in response to a false preacher's greedy distortion of biblical giving.
But Paul also points out that we are to be wise in our giving, to give according to our personal means, and not to feel embarrassed or obligated to give more that we have purposed in our heart simply because our gift is smaller in quantity or appears inconsequential by comparison with that of another.
 Cheerful giving that proceeds from a heart that loves to do the will of the Lord in spirit and in truth is applauded while a gift that is given grudgingly, comes from a heart that has misunderstood the true purpose of giving and which sadly misses the blessings that stream into the life of a faithful and true disciple of the Lord. Let us give of our time as well as our money. Let us offer our love to the Lord as well as our finances.
 We should all examine the hidden motives of our hearts as we give of our time, our money, our skill, and our talents, to see if our hearts are filled with joy and grateful thanks for all that Christ has done for us or if we are still using our Christian giving in response to legalist bondage, selfish motives, or for any other unbiblical purpose.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us all things richly to enjoy and that everything we have comes from You. May we never be under the illusion that we can out give Your over-abounding gift of grace, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we give faithfully, cheerfully, and generously of our time, our talents, and our money. May the motive behind our giving be pure and ever open to Your scrutiny. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.