When you buy something, it’s a simple transaction—money goes out, and something tangible comes back in. But giving is different. Scripture tells us that when we give, we also receive—but not always in the way we expect. The return God promises isn’t measured in bank balances or possessions. It’s measured in freedom, joy, and purpose.
Many people hear the phrase “give to receive” and imagine a divine transaction: give to God or others, and blessings—perhaps even financial—will return. But biblically, generosity is never a get-rich scheme. It’s an invitation to live the kind of life God designed for us—a life marked by open hands and open hearts.
God’s Kingdom Is Not a Vending Machine
Some interpret verses like Luke 6:38 (“Give, and it will be given to you”) as a spiritual formula: “If I give, God owes me something.” But this is a distortion of Jesus’ teaching. God isn’t running a cosmic vending machine where our dollars purchase His favor.
Instead, He invites us to live differently—to find life not in what we keep but in what we release. If money itself were the ultimate reward, God would be reinforcing the very idol He seeks to break in our hearts. Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:15, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” That truth echoes through every page of Scripture: generosity is not about loss—it’s about liberation.
What We Actually Receive When We Give
So, if giving isn’t transactional, what does Scripture say we receive in return? The Bible highlights three beautiful gifts that generosity brings.
1. We Receive Freedom
Money has a unique power to capture our hearts. Jesus warned, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Every act of generosity is a declaration of allegiance: we are not owned by our wealth. Giving loosens money’s grip and frees us to serve a greater Master.
2. We Receive Joy
In Acts 20:35, Paul quotes Jesus saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” True joy doesn’t come from what we accumulate—it comes from participating in God’s generosity. John Bunyan put it this way: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
3. We Receive Purpose
When we give, we join God’s mission in the world. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:11, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.” The goal isn’t self-enrichment—it’s being a conduit of blessing. Generosity connects our story to God’s story, reminding us that every resource we have is meant to reflect His generous heart.
Giving Flows from Grace
If we’re honest, our motives for giving can become mixed. We might give to feel good, earn approval, or to gain favor with God. But the gospel frees us from all of that. Ephesians 2:8–10 makes it clear: we’re saved by grace, not by works. Our generosity is not a means of earning God’s love—it’s a response to already having it.
Once we understand that truth, giving transforms from obligation into worship. We don’t give to get something back. We give because we’ve already received everything in Christ.
At the center of our faith stands Jesus—the One who gave everything. Paul captures it beautifully in 2 Corinthians 8:9:
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”
Jesus didn’t give to gain something for Himself. He gave because of love. Through His sacrifice, we received reconciliation with God and eternal life in His Kingdom—riches far beyond material wealth.
When our giving mirrors His, our motivation becomes love, not return. And in that kind of giving, we experience the true riches of life in Christ.
Living With Open Hands
Even when generosity brings blessing, the return is never shallow or predictable. We don’t give to multiply our possessions—we give to multiply love, freedom, and trust.
Every act of giving draws us deeper into God’s life—freeing us from greed, filling us with joy, anchoring us in purpose, and reminding us that He is our ultimate treasure.
The world says, “Give so you can get.” The gospel says, “Give because you’ve already been given everything.”
When we live with open hands, we discover that the richest life is the one fully surrendered to God.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- My wife had student loans before we got married, and the balance has now grown to about $65,000. I didn’t realize how much debt she had until recently, and it’s been hard to manage on our income—especially since her payments are currently set to $0 through an income-based repayment plan. How should we approach this situation, and what can we do to manage or reduce this debt given our financial limitations?
- I’ve been giving to my church using funds from my Required Minimum Distribution, even though I’m still working. Someone recently asked why I’m taking RMDs if I’m not yet required to. Do I have to take RMDs from my retirement plan while I’m still employed, or do the rules only apply to my IRA?
- I have both a Roth IRA and a brokerage account that I’d like to transfer to a new investment firm. The accounts have been open for more than five years. If I move my Roth IRA, does that five-year clock restart, or does the time I’ve already had it stay intact?
- I recently received an inheritance of about $200,000 after my father’s passing. My mortgage balance is around $175,000. I don’t have any other debt, but I do have five kids at different stages of life, including some in college, and I haven't saved much for retirement. Should I use the inheritance to pay off the mortgage and invest the remaining amount, or keep the mortgage and invest the entire amount for the future? What’s the best move for my family right now?
Resources Mentioned:
- Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
- Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
- Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
- Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
- Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
- FaithFi App
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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