Why We Give: Finding Freedom from Self-Righteousness

Aug 18, 2025

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Have you ever felt a quiet sense of pride after giving, like you were just a little more faithful than others?

It’s a subtle temptation, but one we must take seriously. When our giving becomes a way to elevate ourselves rather than glorify God, we’ve missed the heart of generosity—and possibly much more.

When Giving Becomes About Us

Self-righteous giving hides behind good behavior. It’s giving to feel morally superior. Giving to prove we’re spiritually ahead. Giving to show God—or others—that we’ve “got it right.”

Jesus addressed this in Luke 18:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector… The Pharisee… prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people… I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector… said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.”

The tithing, fasting Pharisee was not justified—not because his actions were wrong, but because he trusted in himself.

The Heart Check

Religious acts, even impressive ones, can’t save us. When we give to make ourselves look good, we risk trusting in our performance rather than Christ’s finished work.

There’s nothing wrong with joy in giving—God loves a cheerful giver. But when joy turns to superiority, we’ve crossed the line. As Deuteronomy 8 reminds us:

“Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…”

Everything we have—even the ability to give—comes from Him.

Giving That Glorifies God

Jesus warns in Matthew 6 not to give for the sake of being noticed. True generosity is humble, often quiet, and motivated by gratitude. It’s giving that reflects Christ, not ourselves.

John the Baptist put it best: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

So, if you notice pride in your giving:

Confess it to the Lord. His grace cleanses and corrects.
Refocus on gratitude. Remember how much you’ve been forgiven.
Practice hidden generosity. Give anonymously or where no one will notice.

Before each gift, pray: “Lord, may this reflect You, not me.” Because generosity is never about proving ourselves—it’s about responding to the One who gave everything for us.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I’m 52 and currently have about 71% of my 401(k) invested in company stock, which has been generating returns of 30–36%. When and how should I begin diversifying to protect my retirement savings while still benefiting from my company’s potential growth?
My husband (62) and I (58) are debating whether to start collecting Social Security now. We still run our own business and earn an income, but I’m concerned about how starting Social Security could affect our Medicare coverage. What’s the best strategy for our situation?
I own and rent out a three-unit apartment building and want to know if there are any advantages to placing the property in an LLC.

Resources Mentioned:

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