WHAT ARE WE KEEPING?

I recently came across a quote about Christian giving, by George Müller. The perspective with which Müller sees Christian giving is something worth knowing, and better still, worth practicing. 
– “God judges what we give by what we keep.” – George Müller

What Müller says above is a revolutionary way of looking at our giving. It is so because, all Christian giving is primarily, we giving to God, out of all that God had blessed us with. Hence, it is an act of worship, and an expression of our deep and heartfelt gratitude to God our Provider.

God will judge our giving, not by how much we give. Rather, God judges our giving by how much we keep for ourselves. This does not mean we have to give all what we have. This also does not mean, we should not keep something for our needs. It would be foolish and unwise to do so.

What we give to God, and what we keep for ourselves becomes much more than mere giving and keeping; it has now become the barometer to measure where our heart and our treasure is – Matthew 6:21. What we keep for ourselves speaks volumes about our heart, our attitude towards God, and a reflection of our faith in God, much more than the money itself. The one critical reason for anyone to save is to have security in times of need. This is wisdom which God will certainly appreciate. If we are “hoarding” – which is, keeping aside much more than a reasonable and fair financial safety net for our future needs, and any unforeseen expenses, then it turns into greed. The line between need and greed is invisible, very thin, and pretty easy to cross. We may not even sense it or realise it at all, as to when we have crossed over from need to greed. Also, greed reflects our hearts desire to be self-sufficient and independent of God. It is a reflection of our lack of trust in God and His promise to take care of us, and all our needs.

As someone working among the poor and the needy for close to 35 years now, I can confidently say that it is easier to ask donation from a poor man, than from someone who has lots of money. I have seen it with my own eyes on more than one occasion. Poor people living through tough economic times, have a greater and accurate estimate about struggles in life; and a greater sense of appreciation for the work among the poor and needy, because they know by experience, the struggles of people having financial difficulties. Therefore, they give much more willingly and openly, though not much in terms of actual amount. The same is the opposite for someone who has money. More the money one has, the greater the struggle in giving.

I have also observed. The poor man is not pompous, not an exhibitionist with his donation to any good cause. They prefer to remain silent and behind the scene. They also feel a sense of “shame” that they are unable to do more. The exact opposite is true in many cases, with those who have money. More the money they have, the greater their desire for pomp and exhibitionism. I have seen it with my own eyes.

I should add here in all fairness to those dear friends who are not only economically rich, but much more richer in their hearts to give. I have seen such people in my life. They are generous, kind, caring and loving children of God, to the point of being “reckless” in giving to causes. However, and sadly so, such people are few in number. This is precisely the point of George Müller, which hits the heart of the matter, when it comes to all Christian giving.

The poor man wants to help. The rich man wants to know details. Wanting to know details is not wrong in itself. Many times I have experienced while raising donations – asking questions is not only a way to gauge the cause and its needs, but also a way to avoid – a very intelligent and politically correct way of saying no, where the other person is not given an occasion to hold them accountable or blame them. Small wonder then, that they made money…they are sharp and shrewd people.
– “​41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” – Mark 12:41-44

Here under is what I have gathered from the Bible, over these years, about giving.
– Giving is a godly trait.
– God is the OWNER of ALL that we have.
– Giving is a matter of human HEART, and NEVER about the pocket, its size, and our pressing personal financial needs.
– If the heart is in its RIGHT place in regards to mammon [money] people are joyfully willing to SACRIFICE their personal needs for the cause.
– We are CALLED to be STEWARDS of all what is GIVEN – ENTRUSTED – to our care.
– We are to SHARE all our God given blessings with those who don’t have.
– We are to HELP BUILD the kingdom of God by GIVING our time, our talents, our effort, and our money.
– We HAVE to HELP those in NEED.

Bible has some very clear portions to teach us about the GOD ORDAINED WAY OF GIVING.
– “17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” – Deuteronomy 16:17
– “6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
– “​1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-4

How is it going with us, my dear brothers and sisters? Where is our treasure, and where is our heart? Would God be happy to say, “Well-done thou good and faithful servant!” and welcome us joyfully into His presence, in regards to money and our giving? Let us pause and ponder. Even so, the LORD help us.