Pride of Giving

Matthew 23: ²³ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. ²⁴ You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

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Finally I had made it! I could give a tenth of my salary while paying bills, going on vacations, and buying stuff! Suddenly someone asked me for some money. “What are you going to do with it?” I interrogated. When I did not hear the reply I wanted, I declined to give a penny.

• There were times when I measured my faith by “my” actions.
• There were times when I was “proud” of my holiness.
• There were times when I was excited about “my” giving but blind to my true surroundings.

Pride of giving meant nothing to GOD when it came to the Sadducees and Pharisees. HE saw through their pride and said they should not only give, but treat others well around them. HE says the same to me.

• GOD wants me to give and show others justice.
• GOD wants me to give and display mercy when other people ask for it.
• GOD wants me to give and be faithful to give to others who GOD sends to me.

My pride of giving was also the pride of being wealthy enough to give, but what about those who were struggling at the time? “Get a job” was my answer. GOD wants me to act differently. HE wants me to show justice, mercy and faithfulness for those who can’t give.

Instead of judging the poor, GOD wants me to raise them up with justice by being faithful enough to pour out mercy on them. GOD sees my heart and wants to grow it.

• Are you proud of where you have come from in your giving?
• Do you think your giving is the measure of your faith?
• Can you stop judging those around you who are in need and just be there for them?