Real Hope: GivingSample

Giver’s Regret

Like other parts of our Christian life, there are some aspects of giving that are tricky. The key to starting, continuing, and finishing well is to do so ‘as unto the Lord’. We give to our church, various organisations and individuals as though we were doing it directly to the Lord.

We should never broadcast or boast in our giving as warned against by Jesus in Luke 18. There are times, however, when our giving becomes known, particularly among our families, and this can lead to criticism as some people are uncomfortable that they or we should give.

At other times there can be ‘giver’s regret’ if, after a prolonged season of giving, we find ourselves out of fellowship with a particular group or find that the funds have been used in an inappropriate way. Such knowledge can be devasting unless we come to the peaceful and joyful revelation that our motive and direction for our gifts were ‘unto the Lord’.

The key to a healthy ongoing Christian life is this promise – ‘since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving’. That inheritance may, however, not be in this life. Is God calling you to calibrate or recalibrate your Christian service based on the joy of this one promise?

Written by JOHN SCOTT