WHAT IS YOUR HEART MOTIVE FOR GIVING?

Matthew 6:1-4 (CSB) - “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has given us the Rules for giving and the Results of giving. Today, I would like us to just simply think about the Reality of giving.

I am going to give you a one-question quiz at the end of this devotion. Don’t worry – it is an open book and a multiple-choice question. If you are totally honest, there is only one right answer for each individual. What you do with that answer is up to you.

In reality, there are only three types of givers in the world. Every one of us is one of these types. And, each of these types traces back to the heart motive for giving. Think back over what we have studied in the last two days. The rules Jesus gives is Sincere and Secret. The Results are the three rewards. And, because of our heart attitudes, we are one of these three.

What are they, you ask? The Flint, the Sponge, and the Honeycomb.

That is some strange thoughts about giving. But, hear me out. The first one – The Flint – is one who one must hammer them to get anything out of them. And then, when you do get anything out of them, all you get is chips and sparks. Adrian Rodgers tells of a man who complained about the church buying too many brooms. When Dr. Rodgers asked the treasurer about this, the treasurer replied, that of course he was complaining – it was hard for him to see his whole year’s giving spent on brooms.

The next type of giver is the Sponge. In the physical world, to get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it. It takes pressure to get anything out of a sponge, and the more pressure, the more you get.

The last type is the Honeycomb. This person just overflows with sweet provision. And, it tastes so good. It brings pleasure to all those who receive from it.

So, are you ready for the quiz?

Here it is:

What kind of giver am I?

1.     The Flint

2.     The Sponge

3.     The Honeycomb

Now, honestly answer that. Then decide if you like what you saw and what can you do to become the type of giver that God loves. (To see what kind that is check out 2 Corinthians 9:7).