Guilt, charity and confusion.

[Dai3234]

Hello. I have a bit of an issue when I choose to give money away. I felt like giving some money to two groups, but then the church said they're buying a new building. They didn't ask for donations.

But nearly every time I think of giving money away, I feel, oh hang on, should I just give to the church as it's more important now, or give everyone something, or give some each thinking I'm being stingy by not giving every penny I have, guilt tripping myself into thinking God is saying, your not trusting me if you don't give everything, your not trying. Or I'm being a fool even in god's eyes giving too much away, though there's never too much.

I go round in circles thinking that I should just trust God with all of it even if hard to give so much?

Anyone else deal with guilt or whatever in these areas. Anyone know any clear Bible messages about this, and not the ten percent stuff.
Thanks.

 

[88]

Hello. I have a bit of an issue when I choose to give money away. I felt like giving some money to two groups, but then the church said they're buying a new building. They didn't ask for donations.

But nearly every time I think of giving money away, I feel, oh hang on, should I just give to the church as it's more important now, or give everyone something, or give some each thinking I'm being stingy by not giving every penny I have, guilt tripping myself into thinking God is saying, your not trusting me if you don't give everything, your not trying. Or I'm being a fool even in god's eyes giving too much away, though there's never too much.

I go round in circles thinking that I should just trust God with all of it even if hard to give so much?

Anyone else deal with guilt or whatever in these areas. Anyone know any clear Bible messages about this, and not the ten percent stuff.
Thanks.

****usually when you have confusion about giving---you should pray---wait---and get clarity from the Holy Spirit-----having a joyful spirit is important----I live in expectancy to also receive from God-----the more we have---the more we can be a blessing...

 

[Blain]

When I do give I only give when my heart leads me to, if my heart is not in it then I don't do it because God has always told me when to give and when not to in that manner and the fruits have been very evident. sometimes giving charity is not donating money either, I always tell God that I am willing and to use me as he will in fact many times I begged him to use me, there was this one time i was at the store and a lady was at the the front of the line with a small amount of stuff she clearly didn't have much money and bought foods that are very cheap when it was time to pay she became frantic she didn't have near enough and begged the cashier to let her go to her car to find change.

Of course from the way she was acting no amount of change could pay for it and she seemed very desperate to get this food so before she even had a chance to dash out the door I stopped her and said i would pay for all of it. She had this look of utter shock and gratefulness as if an act of kindness like this was nonexistent to her and was tearing up she just kept apologizing over and over and i kept telling her there was no need.

a heart was deeply impacted that day simply because I instinctively followed my heart there was no thinking no doubt no worry or hesitation because he spoke and I acted.

 

[Dai3234]

When I do give I only give when my heart leads me to, if my heart is not in it then I don't do it because God has always told me when to give and when not to in that manner and the fruits have been very evident. sometimes giving charity is not donating money either, I always tell God that I am willing and to use me as he will in fact many times I begged him to use me, there was this one time i was at the store and a lady was at the the front of the line with a small amount of stuff she clearly didn't have much money and bought foods that are very cheap when it was time to pay she became frantic she didn't have near enough and begged the cashier to let her go to her car to find change.

Of course from the way she was acting no amount of change could pay for it and she seemed very desperate to get this food so before she even had a chance to dash out the door I stopped her and said i would pay for all of it. She had this look of utter shock and gratefulness as if an act of kindness like this was nonexistent to her and was tearing up she just kept apologizing over and over and i kept telling her there was no need.

a heart was deeply impacted that day simply because I instinctively followed my heart there was no thinking no doubt no worry or hesitation because he spoke and I acted.

Yeah, that sounds nice. Usually in those situations I feel too embarrassed to say anything about offering to help. Then regret it. But with charity, I find donating is very awkward. Our church doesn't seem to have a donations system online, just a wooden box etc. I'd prefer to send a cheque to charities also. But quite a few haven't even replied from email about sending cheque's. It's nearly all PayPal and computers. That I don't put my main account on etc. I'd like to give to all, but often feel I'm holding back, like a cheat. Even though I do want to give. Probably the devil trying to talk me out of it.

 

[resurrection33]

Hello. I have a bit of an issue when I choose to give money away. I felt like giving some money to two groups, but then the church said they're buying a new building. They didn't ask for donations.

But nearly every time I think of giving money away, I feel, oh hang on, should I just give to the church as it's more important now, or give everyone something, or give some each thinking I'm being stingy by not giving every penny I have, guilt tripping myself into thinking God is saying, your not trusting me if you don't give everything, your not trying. Or I'm being a fool even in god's eyes giving too much away, though there's never too much.

I go round in circles thinking that I should just trust God with all of it even if hard to give so much?

Anyone else deal with guilt or whatever in these areas. Anyone know any clear Bible messages about this, and not the ten percent stuff.
Thanks.

It is good to be a generous giver, but you need to meet your financial obligations now and in the future.

 

[Ariel82]

Hello. I have a bit of an issue when I choose to give money away. I felt like giving some money to two groups, but then the church said they're buying a new building. They didn't ask for donations.

But nearly every time I think of giving money away, I feel, oh hang on, should I just give to the church as it's more important now, or give everyone something, or give some each thinking I'm being stingy by not giving every penny I have, guilt tripping myself into thinking God is saying, your not trusting me if you don't give everything, your not trying. Or I'm being a fool even in god's eyes giving too much away, though there's never too much.

I go round in circles thinking that I should just trust God with all of it even if hard to give so much?

Anyone else deal with guilt or whatever in these areas. Anyone know any clear Bible messages about this, and not the ten percent stuff.
Thanks.

You should NOT give out of guilt. Pray and ask God how to be a good steward of the money God has entrusted you with.

Jesus told his disciples at the end of His ministry before his death to carry a money bag when before he told them not to,because the Lord will provide.

What does God tell you? Save or donate?

Sometime God wants you to save and bless people directly and not just with money or through church or charities.

I know a family that bought a bucket of things from the dollar store and found homeless people to give them too.

God can work in many ways.

 

[Silverwings]

When I do give I only give when my heart leads me to, if my heart is not in it then I don't do it because God has always told me when to give and when not to in that manner and the fruits have been very evident. sometimes giving charity is not donating money either, I always tell God that I am willing and to use me as he will in fact many times I begged him to use me, there was this one time i was at the store and a lady was at the the front of the line with a small amount of stuff she clearly didn't have much money and bought foods that are very cheap when it was time to pay she became frantic she didn't have near enough and begged the cashier to let her go to her car to find change.

Of course from the way she was acting no amount of change could pay for it and she seemed very desperate to get this food so before she even had a chance to dash out the door I stopped her and said i would pay for all of it. She had this look of utter shock and gratefulness as if an act of kindness like this was nonexistent to her and was tearing up she just kept apologizing over and over and i kept telling her there was no need.

a heart was deeply impacted that day simply because I instinctively followed my heart there was no thinking no doubt no worry or hesitation because he spoke and I acted.

Wow, Blain, your reply sure blessed my heart, it is awesome to be able to give like that!! What a blessing to you, the lady who was the recipient of your gift and also the ones of us who are able to read what you wrote!!! You make my heart smile!!

 

[Silverwings]

It sounds like you are def. conflicted on this issue. I am not sure we can help you to make your mind up, as it is really a personal decision, that needs to be made from your heart, and not your mind. I think these are the two that are at war one with the other, and it may take some time to resolve it. If I were you I would pray earnestly asking God to help you to have a made up mind, not one that is conflicted, as God is not the author of confusion.

Then study the scriptures on giving, asking for his help in all matters , especially this one that is bothering you.

Maybe study fasting too, and implement it into your thinking, as this is helpful in trying to make decisions, and is very beneficial to being led by the spirit and not the flesh. It will help to clarify the things that are truly of the spirit.

God loves a cheerful giver, not out of necessity (meaning that you are not required to give) so to me that means we are free to give as we see fit, and are led by the spirit.

 

[Silverwings]

New International Version
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

New Living Translation
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."

English Standard Version
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Berean Study Bible
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

 

[Silverwings]

2 Corinthians 9:7

Study Bible
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
…6Consider this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,( This is not meant to be a threat, just a guideline to help guide us ) and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, ( meaning that God leaves it up to us as to how much to give )(not out of regret ~ God does not want us to ever live in regret, it is a waste of precious time) or compulsion. (out of necessity, or coercion, or guilt)For God loves a cheerful giver.(we are free!!! to give or not give, is that not the most liberating thing imaginable? ) 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.…

 

[Silverwings]

Malachi ~Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,( this is Old Test. but I still use it as a guideline toward giving) ( the storehouse is where you receive your spiritual instruction from ~ your local church )that there may be meat in mine house,(money to run the church and to be a blessing to the community) and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts,

Is the money you earn yours to fund your lifestyle or does it belong to God to fund His end time harvest? You may ask questions like What about my need? If you operate as a faithful steward the Lord will take proper care of you. Jesus firmly established this truth when He spoke of the reward his faithful servants will receive. The Lord isn't looking for people who will fund the gospel out of their possessions. Instead, He wants to develop faithful stewards who will become mangers of His assets. The better these stewards manage His affairs, the better the quality of life He will provide for them.

(This is where the so called prosperity preachers get their teachings from but it is Bible, Gods word, NOT MANS)

Don't believe the lie "All Preachers Want is your Money" II Chronicles 20:20 If you don't trust Gods prophets, you will not prosper. Lack of trust comes from the enemy for he knows if he can break your trust relationship with the man of God, he can block you from God's prosperity. Get behind him, encourage and submit to him. The obedient Christian is to trust and respect his God appointed leaders, for God gave them to the Church as a gift. Be sure you are following a good pastor that's not a man-pleaser who teaches the word of God and not the traditions of men.

1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Acts 20:35 I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

There are many things that will stop the blessings of God in your life.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

We are to lay up spiritual treasures in heaven,

Matthew 6: 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

[Silverwings]

In trying to give to charities, it is a good idea to do some research on them online, as some have CEO'S that draw huge salaries and to me that is a huge red flag.

 

[Blain]

Wow, Blain, your reply sure blessed my heart, it is awesome to be able to give like that!! What a blessing to you, the lady who was the recipient of your gift and also the ones of us who are able to read what you wrote!!! You make my heart smile!!

If one has a willing heart God can and will use you for anything. I love to help people I have yet to find a greater joy in life than seeing peoples faces light up from doing a good deed for them, that lady may have thought she was the one who received the gift but in reality she was my gift.

What is sad is that this isn't the first time people have had that shocked look on their face when I do something like that as if such an act of kindness is not real in this life.

 

[popeye]

When you give,be directed by his leading and amount. Then act on it. You will get all kinds of reactions but most will be grateful and man,what a rush I recieve from heaven when I give.

 

[Dai3234]

When you give,be directed by his leading and amount. Then act on it. You will get all kinds of reactions but most will be grateful and man,what a rush I recieve from heaven when I give.

True. But I have probably a little bit of a thing for having to give nearly everything. Maybe it's just me or maybe it's things that have stuck in my mind from scripture, such as the husband and wife who held back, who "died"/ or died inside? When they sold their land etc. If I was like ray nears, I'd probably live as a traveller across land. That's just the way I feel about things. You can why I struggle.