By Don Ekanem
Transactional giving is giving done with an expectation of value in return.This is different from the christian giving which is a liberal act of disposing what belongs to you by voluntary transfer without expecting any reward for it. It is a show of appreciation for what has been received already from God. We give not because we want to receive more but because we have been given.
God does not give because you gave but because giving is a natural product of His love for all. Take for instance, have you not received from God even when you did not give? He watches and rewards the intentions of the heart and not your giving per say.
Sometimes preachers when given the opportunity to receive tithe or offering in christian gatherings pick scriptures out of context in their bid to convince people to give more and end up breeding christians who see giving as an investment rather than an act of appreciation and love for God. A scripture that comes to mind is Luke 6:38 which reads;
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Looking at the discourse that surrounds this verse, you will discover our Lord Jesus was not teaching about giving but warning against judging others and unforgiveness. He was actually highlighting the consequences of doing these things in that verse and not rewards for giving as it is popularly misconstrued. The verse wasn’t about giving at all and shouldn’t be used for the purpose.
Another scripture that also has been twisted many times to promote transactional giving is Malachi 3:10:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Like I stated earlier, God checks the ‘why’ of your action and not just the action.
Emphasizing the blessing of “open windows of heaven” as a motivation for giving tithe instead of stating the purpose which is “that there may be food in my house” can really be deceptive as it may misguide the christian to use giving as an easy tool for achieving his self-centered desires. He may begin to see tithing and giving as a bargain with God for an expected value which is a wrong motive and may later cost him his faith and trust in God when he does not have these expectations met.
Transactional giving comes from a heart that is rooted in selfishness, pride and hypocrisy, and always leads to frustration and subsequent destruction of ones faith in God.
Whether you are giving to the poor, a brother who has a need, or giving your offering and tithe in church, set your motives right and give cheerfully out of your love and appreciation for God, and your deep desire to see His will done on earth.
The prerogative of rewarding lies in His hands and He knows best how to do even more than we ever ask or imagine.
Don’t try to be smart with God.
Shalom!!