Giving that Counts

Published: 18th of May, 2023

The bible teaches us to do good unto others both to honor God and to bring blessings into our lives. “Whoever gives to the poor shall lack nothing, but whoever shuts his eyes to the poor receives many curses.”

The bible also teaches us to honor God with the first fruits of all our increase. Giving to the House of God is one way to honor God, but there is another way: giving to the poor. “Whoever giveth to the poor honors his Maker, and He will repay what was given.”

Related: The Bible was Written for the Rich

When the Son of God walked on earth, He advised us to lay our treasures up in Heaven and not on earth where thieves break in and steal and dust take over. Jesus gave a good example of how to lay our treasures up in heaven when the told the rich man, “sell all you have and give to the poor, and come follow me, and you will have treasures in heaven.”

We can see then, that giving to the poor does the following:

brings blessings into our lives.
honors God
gives us treasures in heaven.

Yet, inspite of all this, some people live a lavish lifestyle casting a blind eye to those in need. There is enough spare cash in the world to build a comfortable home for all the world’s homeless if only people would take the time to read and understand the Word of God.

But even when some people give, they do so in a confused state. Some people are so far astray from the heart of God that they do not understand the manner in which to give. They do not understand “giving that counts.”

Jesus says, “When you do your good deeds, do not broadcast it to be seen and heard by men; instead, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does.”

Jesus advises us to give in secrecy so that we may be rewarded with treasures in heaven. If we give to boast and to be seen by others, we sacrifice our heavenly treasures. Of course, it’s OK to preach the Word of God by occasionally telling people that you do give to the poor and even doing occasional demonstrations. But most of your charity should be between three persons: You, the person to whom you give, and God.

With that being said, it is important to examine what constitutes true giving and what doesn’t.

Here are some acts of giving that don’t count:

1. Giving to your children (this is natural and expected of you, and a divine duty which comes with its own reward)
2. Giving to someone expecting something in return.
3. Investing in someone because you see the potential for return.
4. Having a secret ulterior motive for giving even if the benefit is to garnered years later.
5. Telling people for vain reasons that you have given to so and so.
6. Giving to someone who helped you in the past
7. Giving to someone whom you love in a romantic way or with whom you share a romantic relationship (this is exchanging something for something)
8. Expecting the recipient to praise you, respect you, speak well of you, and be eternally grateful to you.

Giving that counts is done to people who cannot help you in return, from whom you will never ask anything in return, and who will perhaps never see you again after lending a helping hand. When you help others, try your best to help them in way that completely lifts them out of their poverty (if you have the ability to) instead of giving them a piece of bread to last an hour. And when you do, never expect anything from that person in return. If you do, you’re doing business, not charity.

“You haven’t had a perfect day until you’ve done something for someone which they will never be able to repay.”