Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Why Do We Give?

The closer you look at charitable giving, the less charitable it appears to be. Why? Because most of those who gave for charity wanted an acknowledgement in return for what they were doing. Do you know that fund raising campaigners, found that they earned far more by selling lottery tickets than by asking for donations? Some people prefer for "something-for-me/something-for-you" approach to giving.

What does Jesus mean when he said; "When you do charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing;" in Matthew 6:3 ? He was telling that our motives for giving should be unconditional. I have a little illustration for this. Most of us grab money from the pocket using the right hand. If something is being handed to us, we received it using the right hand and turn it over to the left hand voluntarily. Why is this? The right hand is eager to give while the left hand is itching on what it can get. Of course, that was just a state of mind. Our mind is sick. That was why Jesus said not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, he means to say when you give, do not expect something in return.

4 comments:

Denise said...

Amen, amen.

Beth in NC said...

Isn't that sad. :o(

Unknown said...

i think its interesting people equate giving with things. in my experience its the intangible that gifts that mean the most - the gifts of time, of thought, of simple gestures that show someone you do care.

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

oh wow, that was very insightful. amen to that. =)