For love or money?

What motivates us to accomplish things is it love or money?  is it recognition or peace of knowing we did the right thing?  do we want a pat on the back or peace in heart?  Do we want credit or sense of satisfaction?

What do you think God wants from you?  Your money?  Do you think that is His focus?  What do you think is our greatest responsibility towards the church, to God, and fellow man?  Your tithe?  Your gifts?

Maybe this verse will help:

^42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. (Lk 11:42., NIV)

This is Jesus speaking and He is speaking directly towards the Pharisees, or the religious leaders of their time.  He is giving them these "woes", or list of things they need to work on.  Well, lets face it you and I always have things that we can work on.  This one specifically had to do with giving and what God prefers.  The Pharisees where very dogmatic about what they do and how they lead.  When the focus goes from people to money there is a problem.

When there is a surplus no one in the church really worries about money, and the focus stays on people.  However in a recession, or depression, the focus goes from people to money.  Its a natural tendency.  Hence why we have to remind ourselves of such verses about focus.  During a recession or depression we are all about making sure we remind people that we give a tenth.  That's all well and good, but you can't do that and neglect people.  You can practice love, grace, AND giving.

The Bible teaches us that we are to give regularly and systematically.  It also teaches that we should give from a joyful heart.  Give regularly, systematically, and joyfully.  In doing that it should be something we WANT to do and not something we feel like we HAVE to do.

Giving is an essential part of we do, it's where your local church finds its funding to be a "light" in your community.  It CANT just be about the money, you and I need to do our part in giving, but we also have to do our part in showing grace and mercy towards people.  People are the focus and always should be.  Money is a necessary evil and love is just necessary.  Me must practice both.

Chris