Walking with the Wise #399: Giving to God

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;


how much more when he brings it with evil intent.”
—Proverbs 21:27

Many people give to God. But God is not so much concerned with what we give, as much as He is with the attitude of our hearts when we give. Those who give to God, but who do so while staying in their evil ways, are considered an abomination in the sight of God. And they are even more wicked when they give with “evil intent.” Jesus gives us one such example in the book of Matthew:

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly I say to you they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you”—Matthew 6:2-4.

These individuals gave to God, but didn’t really care for the needy—rather they gave so as to receive the praise of men. Jesus taught that our giving should be in secret (Matthew 6:3), with the proper attitude of the heart to serve God and help those in need.

What is your motivation to give to the Lord? Do you give out of the overflow of your heart? Or do you give so as to receive the praise of men? Give to God and rest in the knowledge that He sees and will use it and you to make His name known, and allow you to be blessed because of it. Amen.