A lot of today's teachings on finance tell us that blessing come primarily from our obedience. While the thought means well, we are not so much blessed because of our own good works but by the finished work of Jesus Christ.
One of the most popular beliefs on biblical finance and generosity today leads us to think that the giving of money to God, to the church, to the poor or to others is what leads to blessing. This is very true. When we give, God gives back to us and we can never out-give God so He does so in an overflowing manner.
But others will add to this belief and say that when we choose to be selfish, God will not bless us. This is not entirely true. Sure, God takes away finances and wealth when our hearts are not in the right place, but never does God abandon us completely. His common grace still leads to blessing to all -- the generous and selfish, the upright and the wicked. We don't see non-Christians starving because God blesses all people.
We are blessed because of God's generosity
The common mistake in thinking about God's blessing is that it is brought about by our generosity. God's grace and goodness is never based on our good works. If it were, then we would have never received the fullness of His grace that is Jesus Christ. God is gracious and generous to us even when we are not. That is how loving and faithful our Lord is.
Generosity is more of a gauge of our heart's content than a requirement given to get a pass into God's blessing. When we are blessed, the proper response is generosity not materialism. When we respond in selfishness when God blesses us, it only shows that our hearts are in the wrong place.
God's concern is our heart, not our giving
God doesn't simply look to giving because God knows that we can give with the wrong motives. When we give out of sheer compulsion or to show off our financial capacity, we do not bless God; but when we do so with an intent to show gratitude to God for His goodness and to be a blessing to others, God is honored.
That's why 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Giving will surely bring blessing when done with the right heart motive -- not because of what we have done but because of who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
