Title
The Wicked Giver
Scripture
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
(Proverbs 21:27)
Devotional
Those who give with the wrong motive, do not give at all, but take selfishly. God has no delight in egotistical giving. Giving for the sake of attention, at best only gets you a little attention. It may impress a few for a season, but it does not impress God at all. If you, for example, are a “big” tither and you expect special treatment for your giving, you are giving with a wicked intent. Remember, the tithe is not yours; it is the Lord’s. (1) By your giving of tithes, you are merely not robbing God. Never give for the sake of attention. We are instructed in Matthew, “When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”(2) Why would we want our giving to be considered an abomination or wicked? Why would we ever want to forfeit the blessings promised to those who give obediently?
(1) Leviticus 27:30, (2) Matthew 6:3
Text For The Day
Proverbs 21:27: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
Thought For The Day
“When we let go of money, we are letting go of part of ourselves and part of our security. But this is precisely why it is important to do it. It is one way to obey Jesus' command to deny ourselves… When we give money, we are releasing a little more of our egocentric selves and a little more of our false security… Giving frees us to care. It produces an air of expectancy as we anticipate what God will lead us to give. It makes life with God an adventure in the world, and that is worth living for and giving for.” Richard J. Foster, quoted in “Reflections,” Christianity Today Magazine
Questions To Ponder
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Is it always wrong to give for the sake of getting? Consider Luke 6:38.
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If our attitudes are not right in giving, should we give anyway? Consider Malachi 3:8.
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Do you faithfully tithe? If so, why; and if not, why not? Give thought to these two verses: Hebrews 7:2 and Galatians 3:17.
Morning Study Guide
Defining: The “Sacrifice of the wicked” is giving with a selfish intent, or evil motive; it is giving to impress, bribe or manipulate.
Referencing: “Cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished,” Malachi 1:14.
Applying: Give obediently, give because you trust God, give because you know it is the right thing to do. Remember, “The tithe is the Lord’s.”