Good Giving, Bad Giving |
Nov 3, 2009 |
We tend to equate any giving with good giving. For some, 'bad giving' is an oxymoron.
Giving is not always good. In fact, it can be harmful and downright ugly.
Please know that it is always better to give than receive. Giving itself is a blessed, good thing, but we as humans have an innate ability to twist good things into evil. We can make even giving a tool of evil. For example, during the Cold War, Russia gave to countries where they wanted to see communism flourish. The US gave money to prop up 'fledgling' democracies, or gave grants to countries with the requirement that all grant money goes towards purchasing US commodities. Even our government has channelled money into brutal regimes. The results of bad giving can be ugly.
This type of giving typically leaves a bad taste in our mouths. Any time giving comes with strings attached, it leaves a bad taste. Recently, a well-known foundation offered a grant to one of the ministries MIF has trained. In order to receive the grant, the ministry had to diversify their board with people who do not adhere to the ministry's values. The ministry felt compelled to turn down the grant. Gifts with strings attached are like little webs that entangle the recipient, rather than freeing people to achieve.
Jesus talked about this type of giving in Matthew 6:
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 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.
Giving that is paraded for self-glory, or offered with strings attached, or offered for selfish gain, is meaningless and empty. Money may change hands and a transaction does occur, but what is transacted? They have their reward. They do not have transformation.
