“The greatest motivation for giving is love. God’s love for the world motivated Him to give Jesus, His only Son, to bring salvation and healing to the world. What motivates you to do what you do? Is it unconditional love? How much are you willing to do or give in the name of love? True love will motivate us to make sacrifices that might even cost us our lives.”
John Jusu, supervising editor of the Africa Study Bible (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2012) application notes for John 3:16-21.
Recently, I received a trial copy of the Africa Study Bible (the gospel of John) in the mail. I read a few passages of Scripture and some of the application notes on a flight this week. This reading caught my attention.
Over the years I have learned that my motivation for giving reflects what’s in my heart. If I want love to motivate my generosity then I must contemplate God’s love for me. When I do, I have found that my giving begins to reflect God’s giving to the world.
So let’s all pause today and consider What motivates our generosity? Or perhaps we must ask ourselves what we want to motivate our generosity? Why? The condition of our hearts, that is, what motivates us, is the stuff God cares about.