One person gives freely yet gains more; another withholds what is right only to become poor.
A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.
Proverbs 11:24-25 CSB

There are different reasons why people give. Some give out of an obligation. Some give to get recognition. Some give because it’s in their heart to do so. God knows why we give because He knows what’s in our hearts. In 1 Samuel chapter 16, God sent Samuel to anoint a king over Israel. He sent him to the house of Jesse. As Saul was looking at Jesse’s sons, God told him in verse 7, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the LORD sees, for humans see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.”

When we give from our heart, we give as God intended for us to give. Billy Ray Cyrus released an album with the title, Some Gave All in 1992. It would go on to be the number one selling album of that year. The title song paid tribute to those who have served or are serving in our armed forces. The lyrics say, “All gave some, some gave all.” Jesus gave all. He paid his life for our sins. Ephesians 5:1 says we are to be imitators of Christ. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we must die on a cross. But we are told that we must die to self. Galatians 2:20 says that I have been crucified with Christ. This refers to the old sinful life we used to live being gone and replaced by our new lives as Christians.

When we are truly saved, we have a giving heart. We want what is best for others. We want to give to others. We are able to put ourselves aside and focus on God and others. We give of our time and our attention and our finances because we have a greater concern for others than we have for ourselves.

There is also a benefit to our giving. It comes back to us. Luke 6:38 says to give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be put in your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Simply put, God blesses those who give.

We were not created to focus on ourselves and our needs. When we do this, it can cause anxiety, depression and a whole host of emotional and physical issues. God created us to have a loving heart. He created us to have a giving heart. He created us to put Him first and be in close fellowship with Him. When we do this, we also love others as we love ourselves. This means we put their needs above our own. Philippians 2:3 tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Verse 4 says everyone should look out not only for their own interests, but also for the interest of others.

God sees our hearts. Do you have a giving heart? Even if we don’t have money to give, we have time. We have attention. We have something to give. When we hold on to what we have and refuse to give, it brings turmoil into our lives. I know this from personal experience. It took me a while to understand this but looking out for number one means focusing on God. He is number one in my life. I’m not number two. Everyone else gets that spot. At best I am number three.

When I am going through difficult times, I find it therapeutic to help someone else. It gets my mind off of my problems. Before I know it I see that my problems are small in comparison to what others may be experiencing.

Maybe it’s time to examine your heart. Each day we should be praying Psalm 139:23-24 which says, “Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”

If you want a heart that has peace and joy, you must surrender to Christ. You must have a giving heart. When we trust in God with all our heart we want to share that love with others. Turn to Him today. Trust in Him to take care of all your needs and focus on Him. Serve Him by serving others.

Have a great day!