Freely you have received. Freely give.

When I was young, my church had something very similar to this 🠝.  On the Sunday nearest your birthday, you walked to the front of the sanctuary and put an offering into this church-shaped box.  My offering was usually a quarter or two, given to me by my parents beforehand.  Then, the congregation sang Happy Birthday to you. (I was so shy, I hated it.)  

As parents, we've given our kids "offering money" for Sunday School and VBS.  They didn't do any work to receive the money;  it was a gift from us to the church (or missionary) through them.  But it was the beginning of teaching them the importance of tithing and generosity.  

Giving is not limited to money; we can be generous (or stingy) with our time, effort, and resources as well.  The Bible is full of examples of giving generously.  Leviticus 25:35-37 teaches us the importance of giving to those in need.  Deuteronomy 15:7-8 instructs us to give with an open hand.  In Luke 6:37-38, Jesus Himself teaches to give, and then give MORE  Psalm 119:36 warns us to avoid selfish gain.  Matthew 10:42 tells us to give of our resources.  Luke 21:1-14 is a pattern of giving from the heart vs giving for recognition.  Acts 20:32-35 advises us to set a generous example.  

Prosperity-Gospel preachers have exploited so many of these principles for their OWN selfish gain, making promises that aren't theirs to make. Their message is that God is OBLIGATED to bless us, because we've somehow impressed Him (and others) with our generosity.  In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus says if we give to be seen and praised, then that recognition is our only reward.  

There have been times I've given with a closed hand and a closed heart out of habit and a sense of obligation.  Other times I've given above and beyond, but only because I knew someone was watching.  This quote has been the "check engine light" to keep my motives according to the Word of God.  

"It's not how much of my own money that I give to God.  It's how much of His money that I keep for myself."  I'm not sure who to attribute it to; but after years of quoting it, I found it's Biblical basis.  

1 Chronicles 29-- King David raised funds for the building of the temple, the place to gather  to worship God.  He dreamed of building the temple, but God left that to Solomon, King David's son.  King David modeled generosity by giving from his own wealth before asking others to give. The people followed his lead and gave willingly and with joy.  David then led the congregation in prayer--

 "Blessed are You, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.  Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all.  In your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.  And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name.  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly?  For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You....O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own."

Freely you have received.  Freely give.