Reflections on Giving: Beyond Expectations and Returns

Today being Sunday, I am delighted to have made it to church early. It has been over a month or two since I last attended Sunday school service. As we all know, Sunday school is an integral part of the church service for the day. However, since relocating to a new apartment, it has been very difficult for me to attend regularly, and sometimes I didn't go at all. Today was different, as I made up my mind to attend church early, no matter what. I decided to iron my clothes yesterday to avoid any delays while preparing for the service. I got to church today at some minutes past 8 a.m. I am so happy that I made it in time for Sunday school, and I truly benefited from the sermon.

Today's church sermon was about giving. Giving is good, and it is something we should all emulate. As the saying goes, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." There is no doubt about this assertion. Another popular saying is that "a giver never lacks," and I firmly believe in this. People often say that the more you give, the higher your chances of receiving. While this is correct, we must give purposefully. By "purposefully," I mean that giving should not lead to reckless or wasteful spending, all in the name of helping others. The kind of giving we should emulate is the one that solves genuine problems.

Some people give with the sole expectation of receiving something in return, as if it were a form of investment. While it is true that those who give often receive more favour from others, we should not give solely with the expectation of a return. If we do, we may end up disappointed when we don't receive as expected. However, when we give sincerely, out of the goodness of our hearts, without expecting anything in return, it becomes a truly rewarding act, free from disappointment.

Even though I believe that givers don't lack, this does not mean one should throw away all their resources under the guise of giving. Doing so might lead to bankruptcy. This is an important truth. Additionally, I have noticed that if people know you are a generous giver, some may take advantage of you, turning you into their personal "ATM" and constantly demanding more. While it is good to give when the need arises, it is also wise to do so with discernment.

In church today, we discussed three kinds of giving. The first is giving beyond your means. For example, there is an ongoing renovation project in our church, and we are all encouraged to contribute something in support of the program, which is aimed at expanding the church. The preacher emphasized this point by quoting a popular Bible verse, highlighting those who gave sacrificially and were blessed beyond measure.

The second type of giving discussed was given according to one’s capacity. This means giving in proportion to your earnings—not more, not less. This kind of giving is good, especially for the work of God, as it aligns with what you can afford.

The third type of giving discussed was giving below one’s means. This occurs when someone gives less than they are expected to or less than they can genuinely afford to give.

The preacher encouraged us to give to the work of God, emphasizing the benefits and rewards that come with it. While I believe in the blessings of giving, I do not agree with the idea that people should borrow money to contribute to building projects for God. Giving should be done voluntarily and within one’s means. Additionally, material possessions or outward appearances are not always accurate indicators of a person’s financial capability. Some people live fake lives just to create the impression that they have "arrived."

In conclusion, giving is a noble act, but it must be done purposefully, sincerely, and within reasonable limits.