Giving and Expecting Nothing in Return: A Biblical Perspective

The act of giving is often associated with the expectation of getting something back in return. However, the Bible teaches us the complete opposite perspective: giving generously to others and expecting nothing in return. Typically, the subject of giving is talked about and encouraged more frequently around Christmas time but as Christians we should live with this mindset all year round.

The Bible is filled with teachings that spur us to think of others more highly than ourselves. One of the most compelling verses in the Bible on this topic of giving comes from Jesus himself in Luke 6:35, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”. This verse underscores the importance of giving selflessly, not just to those we care about, or the ones that are nice to us but even to our enemies. Not giving grudgingly out of obligation but out of joy and personal conviction (2 Corinthians 9:7).

There is no doubt that giving is important, but how we go about giving is equally as important. In Matthew 6:2-4, Jesus gives instructions about how we should give. He tells us “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” Here, Jesus emphasizes discretion when performing acts of charity – basically saying ‘don’t make a show out of helping others’ or ‘don’t take a photo/video and post it on social media, let it be done in secret.’ Some people give with faulty motivates and we see that all too often in culture. Don’t be like that, rather be set apart.

Financial Giving:

If you’re not in a position to devote money to anything outside of necessities like: food, shelter, transportation and tithing. That is okay for the time being but eventually let’s work towards getting into a position where you can. If you have debt, focus on paying off the debt. If you don’t have an emergency fund, work towards building an emergency fund. If you don’t have a retirement fund, work towards putting money into a retirement fund. If you’re a parent and you don’t have life insurance, get life insurance. I can go on and on, but I think you get the point. Now, don’t get me wrong, God could call you to give even when it might not make sense or without all your ducks in a row and that’s okay. The Bible says in Exodus 35:21, “Those who were willing and whose hearts moved them came and brought their contributions to the Lord…”. In other words, give out of your own accord and nudge from the Holy Spirit, not out of a response to a manipulated circumstance. If you find yourself dealing with a situation or a person trying to influence your decision, I’d recommend learning how to say no. Give freely when you feel your heart being tugged to give outside of taking care of your family’s necessities.

Other Types of Giving:

When I think of giving, I immediately think financially. But, in reality, there are numerous ways that we could give to others without spending any additional money. Here are a few ideas:

• Volunteer Time: You can donate your time to a cause you care about. This could be anything from helping serve at church or at a local food bank, volunteering at a charity, or offering your skills in a way that benefits others.
• Help Others in Need: This is similar to the idea above but instead of helping an organization or corporate charity, you help neighbors, friends, or family members directly. This could involve anything from helping with chores, yard work, providing meals, or offering emotional/spiritual support.
• Share Your Skills: If you have a unique skill, such as cooking, carpentry, computer networking or teaching a particular subject, you can offer your time to teach others. This can be a great way to give back and mentor others while teaching them something new. The benefits of mentoring and training has incredible benefits and can lead to much success for the individual receiving mentorship.
• Donate Unused Items: If you have items that you no longer need, you can donate them to charities or local shelters. I personally seem to always find extra clothing when I go through my closet. I think most of us could fill an entire trash bag full of clothes if we are honest with ourselves. Use this as your motivation to part ways and donate the unused clothing today.

Helping others is also a beneficial practice for your own mental health and overall wellbeing. Statics show that the practice of giving can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, enhance overall happiness and more. [1] [2] In closing, being generous is a fundamental principle of the Christian faith. We ought to mirror God’s own generosity and love towards us. As we strive to incorporate this principle into our lives, we become more aligned with God’s will and reflect His love and generosity to those around us.