Giving that God Accepts

Doing what’s right is a struggle for us in most areas of life. Because following God’s commandments goes against our fallen, sinful nature, our attempts to do it right can often take the form of tasks we perform. We do so to prove to God, or perhaps more to ourselves, that we are Christ-like, that we’re doing what’s right.

Giving is one of those ways that we try to prove we are good and committed to God. I happen to think giving is much more telling of this reality of trying to do right. When we give, we have proof that we’ve done something right, a good act. It’s not so clear when it comes to prayer, worship, or other spiritual disciplines because they are not as tangible.

Keeping a timer when reading the Bible to prove to God that we are in the Word enough feels wrong. The same goes for prayer. We wouldn’t measure our faithfulness to God by how many minutes or hours we spend in prayer, but we tend to do so when giving money.

Giving is more tangible because it is a specific amount, so it can easily feel that we are more committed or more spiritual when we give more. After all, doesn’t it take more faith to give $10,000 than to give $100?

Giving that God accepts

King David is a primary example of a generous giver in the Bible. It is estimated that David gave billions of dollars worth of gold and other materials for building the temple in Jerusalem. Not only did he give extravagantly to God, but he also gave in a way that God accepts.

First, it’s worth pondering the question, How can anyone really give something of value to God? I mean, doesn’t God own everything? Isn’t He totally self-sufficient, in need of nothing? How could a person give anything to God when he has everything?

Indeed, God doesn’t need anything. He is the One who spoke the universe into existence, including creating every living thing on the earth. Materially, God has no need that he cannot provide for himself. It is not material things that God needs; it is relationships.

God desires relationships as much as we humans do, and it is in this truth, giving needs to be understood. This is what King David knew and what led him to his response recorded in Psalm 51.

Psalm 51 is David’s response after being confronted by the prophet Nathan of his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. Although David sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, he knew his sin was ultimately against God, a sin born out of covetousness.

In his confession, David reveals something about God that we must understand because it will affect all our giving. He says, “You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.” (Ps. 51:16) In his sinful state, David knew God would not accept any gift, no matter how extravagant. God wasn’t interested in a material or performance response from David.

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Ps. 51:17). What God was looking for and what David gave to God was a repentant heart and a confession of his wrong. This is the foundation from which we must make every act, whether prayer, worship, or giving.

It is easy to be misled into believing that by “giving” to God, you will be accepted by and blessed by God. And it’s not that God doesn’t accept or bless people because of their generosity; it just can’t be instead of a repentant and broken spirit.

You can give your time, service, or money, but if it’s just a task you perform, it will be of no benefit to you. God will not honor your gifts when your heart is far from Him. More importantly, you will miss out on the joy of living in perfect communion with God, praising Him, teaching others about Him, and giving to Him.

God’s confession about David that he was a man after God’s own heart should be a comfort to us all.

If someone who was an adulterer and a murderer can be forgiven, cleansed, and accepted by God, so will we. When our spirits are broken with the sin that entangles us, and we confess our iniquity, God offers his grace and forgiveness so that all of our giving will be accepted and pleasing to God.

For Further Reading:

The Marks of a Christian Investor

The Greatest Hindrance in Our Faith, According to Jesus

What does the Bible say about Saving

Review: Charting Your Legacy by Compass

The Seldom Thought of Reason for Not Cosigning

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