Give Me

Michael W.
Nov 15
3 min read

Giving Selflessly

In a world that often operates on a system of exchange—"you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"—the concept of giving without expecting anything in return can feel revolutionary. Yet, this radical act of selfless giving is the very heartbeat of the Christian faith, reflecting the nature of the God we serve.

We are called to move beyond transactional generosity, the kind that whispers, "What will I get out of this?" and embrace a giving that simply asks, "What is the need?"

The Heart of Selfless Giving

The Bible is clear: our motivation matters more than the magnitude of the gift.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid down a foundational principle for true generosity:

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." - Matthew 6:1-2 (ESV)

This passage challenges us to check our motives at the door. If our giving is a performance, seeking applause, recognition, or a boost to our reputation, then the fleeting praise of man is the only reward we will ever receive. We have, as Jesus says, already collected our reward in full.

The Model: God's Own Gift

To understand what selfless giving looks like, we simply need to look at the cross.

The ultimate example of giving without seeking a return is found in John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

God's gift of His Son was not transactional; it was transformational. He gave because of boundless love, not because we had earned it or could ever repay it. While belief is the necessary response to accept this gift, God’s act of giving was unconditional and prior to any action on our part.

Practical Steps to a Selfless Heart

How do we practically cultivate a heart that gives without strings attached?

1. The Right Hand and the Left Hand (Matthew 6:3)

Jesus advises, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

* Action: Practice secret service. Look for opportunities to give anonymously or to help someone without posting about it online. The true joy of giving is found not in the likes and shares, but in the quiet fulfillment of meeting a genuine need.

2. Giving in Faith (Luke 6:38)

The promise that we will be given a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, is not an invitation to expect material riches in return. It is an invitation to trust God to handle the reward, whether it's material blessing, spiritual growth, or eternal commendation.

* Action: When you give, immediately release the expectation of a return. Trust that God sees your heart and that your reward is secure with Him, which is infinitely better than anything we could earn on earth.

3. The Test of the Unexpected (Luke 6:35)

Jesus tells us to "love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return." This is perhaps the hardest challenge.

* Action: Give your time, resources, or kindness to someone who cannot or will not ever repay you, or perhaps even someone who is difficult to love. This is where selfish motives are truly burned away and pure, Christ-like love shines through.

Selfless giving is a powerful act of faith. It declares to the world that our ultimate source of security, reward, and fulfillment is not in what we can acquire or what others can give us, but entirely in the hands of our generous heavenly Father.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts from asking "What will I get?" to passionately declaring, "Give me the opportunity to give!"