Bible Reading: 2 Chron. 28; 1Tim.1:1-10.
“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” – 1 Timothy 1:5 (KJV)
Charity is good. It naturally meets the needs of people. However it is done sometimes out of selfish motives as opposed to a selfless intention.
When a man buys gifts for or gives cash gifts to another with the intention of getting something back in return, that is not charity out of a pure heart. On the other hand, when the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross; he still asked God the father to forgive all those who killed him because they didn’t know what they were doing. That was charity with a pure heart.
Behind every gift, there is an intention; it could be good or bad. That intention is what determines whether the charity is godly or not. Unfortunately, the receiver may not know immediately the intention behind any gift but the giver will.
When any gift has a motive that is not based on the word of God, it is not out of a godly love. Such is not the type of commandment that God asks us to obey. Our God is love. (1 John 4:8.). He expects us to show his kind of love to all people we come in contact with. Such love should be based on the word of God and have no ulterior motive but for the sake of God. 1 Timothy 1:5 (KJV) says: “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”
Whatever we do, if it is out of a pure heart and in good faith, it is bound to benefit someone. This is the expectation of the Lord from us believers. God will bless you and make you a blessing to others in Jesus name.
Prayer: Father, purify my heart and use me to bless others in the mighty name of Jesus.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero