Servias Ministries Blog

There are right ways and wrong ways to give!

Once again, giving is all about attitude and intent.  Let’s first focus on the right way.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 4:

32 All the believers were one in mind and heart. Selfishness was not a part of their community, for they shared everything they had with one another.

The believers were united in purpose, faith, and Love. This does not mean they never disagreed, but they shared a deep commitment to Christ and to one another.

Their attitude toward possessions changed:

“Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own.”

This does not mean private property ceased to exist. People still owned homes and land (as seen later in Acts). Rather, they viewed their possessions as resources God had entrusted to them for the benefit of others.

33 The apostles gave powerful testimonies about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great measures of grace rested upon them all.

The apostles continued preaching: “with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”  The resurrection remained the central message.

Luke also says: “great grace was upon them all.”

God’s favor and empowering Presence were evident in the church’s life. Their unity and generosity were outward evidence of God’s work among them.  This summarizes Servias Ministries’ intent: unity and generosity.

34-35 Some who owned houses or land sold them and brought the proceeds before the apostles to distribute to those without. Not a single person among them was needy.

Some believers who owned land or houses voluntarily sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles.

The money was then distributed according to need.

This was voluntary, not forced, motivated by Love, not government mandate; and a response to the Holy Spirit’s work  The goal was that no believer would be left destitute.

This reflects principles found in the Old Testament where God desired that His people care for the poor and vulnerable (Deuteronomy 15).

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NKJV

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, [8] but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

36-37 For example, there was a Levite from Cyprus named Joseph, who sold his farmland and placed the proceeds at the feet of the apostles. They nicknamed him Barnabas (or “Encourager”).

Luke introduces Barnabas. His birth name was Joseph, a Levite from the island of Cyprus.  The apostles nicknamed him Barnabas, meaning “Son of Encouragement” (or “Son of Consolation”).  Barnabas sold a field and laid the money at the apostles’ feet.

Luke highlights him because:

He became one of the most important leaders in the early church.

He exemplified the generosity Luke is describing.

His example contrasts sharply with the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the next chapter, who pretended to be generous while deceiving the church.

We are given key Spiritual lessons in this story.

1. Unity Is a Work of the Holy Spirit

The believers were “of one heart and one soul.” Genuine Christian unity comes from shared submission to Christ, not mere organizational agreement.

2. Stewardship Over Ownership

The early Christians understood that everything ultimately belongs to God. They held possessions loosely and used them to bless others.

3. Generosity Is Evidence of Grace

Luke connects “great grace” with generous living. When God’s grace fills a person, concern for others naturally increases.

4. The Resurrection Produces Radical Living

The apostles preached the resurrection, and the church lived differently because they truly believed Jesus was alive and reigning.

5. Encouragers Are vital in God’s Kingdom

Barnabas became known as an encourager before he became known as a missionary. God often uses people who strengthen and lift up others.

To Summarize, this passage shows a Spirit-filled church truly operates:

Unity (“one heart and soul”)

Powerful witness to Christ’s resurrection

Generosity toward those in need

Trust in God’s provision

Leaders like Barnabas who modeled selfless service

The passage is less about creating an economic system and more about demonstrating what happens when a community is deeply transformed by the Holy Spirit and centered on Jesus Christ.

You and I are called to be a blessing to others!

Giving is all about attitude and intent.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from Your Father in Heaven.

2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and Your Father Eho sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Jesus was warning against a subtle spiritual problem: doing outwardly good or religious things mainly to gain human approval, praise, or reputation rather than to honor GOD.   He applies this warning to giving, praying, and fasting.

The issue is not public acts themselves, but the motive of the heart.  Are you seeking GOD? Or are you seeking recognition from people?

So “take heed” is extremely important because Jesus is pointing to a danger that can quietly corrupt even good deeds. A person can appear very spiritual outwardly while inwardly seeking self-glory.

We are to be spiritually vigilant and guard our heart carefully, because pride and the desire for human approval can infiltrate even acts of worship and obedience.

Notice what Jesus said in verse 2.  The word therefore means as a consequence. Notice that He said when, not if.  Those who heed His Words, will be joyful givers without expecting human approval, praise, or reputation.  FATHER takes note of our willingness to help others in need.  HE is the Source of such Agape Love and we reflect HIS attributes of Love when we look for opportunities to give compassionately. 

We are not to “toot our horn” so everyone will know what we are doing!

A hypocrite is someone who pretends to have beliefs, virtues, or character qualities that they do not truly live out consistently. In the Bible, hypocrisy especially refers to outward religious appearance that hides a different inward reality.

Jesus Christ spoke strongly against hypocrisy, especially among religious leaders. In Matthew 23, He repeatedly said:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites…”

The original Greek word referred to an actor wearing a mask in a theater. Spiritually, it came to mean someone presenting a false outward image.

Biblically, hypocrisy can include: appearing righteous publicly while secretly living differently, condemning sins in others while ignoring one’s own,

practicing religion for praise, saying the right things without obeying GOD from the heart, or pretending devotion while lacking Love, humility, or repentance.

For example, in Matthew 6, Jesus warned against:

praying to be seen,

giving to impress people,

and fasting for appearance.

A hypocrite is not simply a person who struggles or fails. The Bible recognizes that sincere believers still sin and repent. Hypocrisy is more about deliberate pretense,

spiritual dishonesty, and maintaining appearances rather than Truth.

Jesus emphasized that GOD sees the heart, not merely outward performance. So hypocrisy is fundamentally about living behind a spiritual mask instead of walking honestly before GOD.

Those with a pure heart will give with pure motives.

Attitude is the inward mindset, posture, or disposition a person carries.

Intent is the specific purpose or aim behind an action.

You and I are called to be a blessing to others!

Giving is all about attitude.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 9:

6 Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest.

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

In other Words, let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God Loves hilarious generosity!

Giving should be intentional “as he has decided in his heart” suggests thoughtful, willing generosity rather than impulsive or forced giving.  Giving should not come from pressure or guilt “not reluctantly or under compulsion” means GOD is not pleased by giving driven only by manipulation, fear, or resentment.  In essence, GOD values the heart as much as the gift.  “God Loves a cheerful giver” points to joy, gratitude, trust, and Love as the proper motivation.

8 Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.

9 Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in Him: Because he has sown extravagantly and given to the poor, his kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten.

10 This generous God Who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First He supplies every need, plus more. Then He multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow.

11 You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.

Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians 6:

7 God will never be mocked!

8 The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting Life of the Spirit.

9 And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!

10 Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!

So, a “stingy sower” would be someone who gives reluctantly, clings tightly to resources, refuses to help others despite having the ability, or gives with a selfish or fearful heart.

The issue is not merely the amount given, but the spirit behind it. Someone with little money can still be generous, while a wealthy person can be stingy.

Stinginess is often connected with lack of trust in GOD’s provision, selfishness,

greed, or lack of compassion.

By contrast, generous sowing reflects faith, gratitude, Love, and trust that GOD is able to provide.

Wisdom wrote in Proverbs chapter 11:

24 Generosity brings prosperity, but withholding from charity brings poverty.

25 Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.

Those walking in Wisdom are those who fully trust FATHER’S Word, especially in the area of giving!

If you don’t put seed in the ground, you will not have a harvest!

There are different ways of giving.  There is the tithe, the offerings, sacrificial giving, first fruits giving, alms giving, seed sowing giving, partner giving, and grace giving.

In essence, tithing is acknowledging that everything belongs to GOD, expressing gratitude, practicing generosity, resisting greed, and learning trust in GOD’s provision.  When we tithe, we are honoring GOD with our resources and participating in His work and care for others.  It is a primary form of surrender.

Some would argue that tithing was an aspect of the Law in the Old Testament.  Tithing was before the Law was given.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Genesis chapter 14:

17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram at the valley of the Shaveh (known as the King’s Valley).

18 And Melchizedek, who was both a priest of the Most High God and the king of Salem, brought out to Abram bread and wine.

Melchizedek brought a Holy Communion service to Abram.

19 He spoke over him a special blessing, saying, “Blessed is Abram by God Most High, Creator of Heaven and earth.

20 And blessed be God Most High, Whose power delivered your enemies into your hands!” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all he possessed.

Abram was not a warrior; he was a prophet.  Yet with GOD’S power behind him, he became a conqueror and won a battle against great odds.  Only GOD gets the glory with every victory we experience.

So, in the first book of the Old Testament, tithing is established.  In the last book of the Old Testament, it is once again reestablished.

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Malachi chapter 3:

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts;

This is the only verse that tells us what the key to the window of Heaven is.  Your tithing is what opens the heavens over you.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 23:

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

He reaffirmed tithing but chastised the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faith.

Tithing is vital in moving toward full surrender to GOD.  My wife and I have learned this Truth and have experienced exceptional blessings coming from the windows of Heaven.  Are we special?  No more than you.  Have we been broke?  Absolutely! 

Early in our marriage, we learned every way you could think of how to prepare ground beef.  Our best meal of the week was to go to our parents’ house for dinner.  Once we finally began to give, our situation improved dramatically.  Tithing is essential to our wellbeing.  Now we know what a financial harvest looks like.

We are called to be productive with what we have been given!

The Kingdom of GOD is all about increase and expansion.  The opposing kingdom is based on enslavement and scarcity.  FATHER spoke to me yesterday morning concerning the following parable:

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 19:

11 At this time Jesus was getting close to entering Jerusalem. The crowds that followed Him were convinced that God’s Kingdom would fully manifest when Jesus established it in Jerusalem.

12 So Jesus told them this story to change their perspective: “Once a wealthy Prince left His province to travel to a distant land, where He would be crowned King and then return.

As we know, our King departed earth, has been crowned, and will soon return to assess our productivity.  He gave each of us our unique gifts and guidance to be productive.

13 Before He departed He summoned his ten servants together and charged them, ‘I am entrusting each of you with fifty thousand dollars (ten minas) to invest while I am away. Trade with it and put the money to work until I return.’

Interestingly, 10 gold coins are worth approximately fifty thousand dollars as of this writing.

14 “Some of His countrymen despised the Prince and sent a delegation after Him to declare before the royals, ‘We refuse to let this Man rule over us! He will not be our king!’

15 “Nevertheless, He was crowned king and returned to His land. Then He summoned His ten servants to see how much each one had earned and what their profits came to.

Jesus will judge our productivity when He returns.

16 “The first one came forward and said, ‘Master, I took what You gave me and invested it, and it multiplied ten times.’

17 “ ‘Splendid! You have done well, My excellent servant. Because you have shown that I can trust you in this small matter, I now grant you authority to rule over ten cities.’

Are we interested in being called “excellent servants”?  I am.

18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, what you left with me has multiplied five times.’

19 “His master said, ‘I also grant you authority in my kingdom over five cities.’

In this case, the servant met Jesus’ expectations and was rewarded accordingly.

20 “Another came before the King and said, ‘Master, here is the money You entrusted to me. I hid it for safekeeping.

21 You see, I live in fear of You, for everyone knows You are a strict master and impossible to please. You push us for a high return on all that You own, and You always want to gain from someone else’s efforts.’

Clearly, this servant did not know the Divine Intent of Jesus!  He did nothing with the money but hid it away out of fear.

22 “The king said, ‘You wicked servant! I will judge you using your own words. If what you said about Me is true, that I am a harsh man, pushing you for a high return and wanting gain from others’ efforts,

23 why didn’t you at least put My money in the bank to earn some interest on it?’

What did Jesus say was the least acceptable result?  It was to put the money in the bank and only receive interest.  The servant would have met the minimum requirements expected by Jesus.

24 “The king said to his other servants, ‘Take the money he has and give it to the faithful servant who multiplied My money ten times over.’

Who better to be given the money than the servant who is called excellent by Jesus!

25 “ ‘But master,’ the other servants objected, ‘why give it to him? He already has so much!’

26 “ ‘Yes,’ replied the king. ‘But to all who have been faithful, I will give even more to them. And for the ones who have nothing, even the little they seem to have I will take from them.

This is a serious judgment on the servant who did nothing with what he was given.

27 Now, bring all those rebellious enemies of Mine who rejected Me as their King—bring them here before Me and execute them!’ ”

These are the groups Jesus differentiated:

Excellent servant

Servant with acceptable results

Servant who met minimum requirements by investing with interest

Wicked servant

It is your choice of which group you are to be in.

There are no rewards without choices!

Our Heavenly Father longs to bless us as we choose the right path and make the right decisions.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Genesis chapter 1:

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our Image, according to Our Likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in His own Image; in the Image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

The word subdue means to take dominion or to control.  This implies harnessing natural resources in an appropriate fashion., caring for the earth, cultivating and harvesting its fields, mining its resources, and releasing its potential to benefit GOD’S highest creation, humankind.

David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 8:

6 You have delegated to them rulership over all You have made, with everything under their authority, placing earth itself under the feet of Your Image-bearers.

7-8 All the created order and every living thing of the earth, sky, and sea—the wildest beasts and all that move in the paths of the sea—everything is in submission to Adam’s sons.

What is the point of subduing the earth if you only focus on yourself?  Does Our Heavenly Father want to see a select few prosper at the expense of others?  Was Abraham blessed just to build a personal kingdom while others suffered?  No, he was blessed to serve mankind and expand the Kingdom of GOD on the earth.

You and I have a choice to do the same.

James wrote by The Holy Spirit in his epistle James chapter 2:

14 My dear brothers and sisters, what good is it if someone claims to have faith but demonstrates no good works to prove it? How could this kind of faith save anyone?

15 For example, if a brother or sister in the faith is poorly clothed and hungry

16 and you leave them saying, “Good-bye. I hope you stay warm and have plenty to eat,” but you don’t provide them with a coat or even a cup of soup, what good is your faith?

17 So then faith that doesn’t involve action is phony.

18 But someone might object and say, “One person has faith and another person has works.” Go ahead then and prove to me that you have faith without works and I will show you faith by my works as proof that I believe.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

19 You can believe all you want that there is One True God, that’s wonderful! But even the demons know this and tremble with fear before HIM, yet they’re unchanged—they remain demons.

20 O feeble sons of Adam, do you need further evidence that faith divorced from good works is phony?

21 Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham found righteous before God because of his works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22 Can’t you see how his action cooperated with his faith and by his action faith found its full expression?

23 So in this way the Scripture was fulfilled: Because Abraham believed God, his faith was exchanged for God’s righteousness. So he became known as the Lover (and friend) of God!

If we truly Love GOD, we will express our faith with action.  When you give into Servias Ministries where we help kids in need with coats, clothes, food, and toiletries, you are expressing faith by your giving.  FATHER credits you by your actions just like HE credits my family in our actions. 

In the parable of the talents, as well as the widow’s mite, your intent is what FATHER is looking at, not the amount.  Your reward is based on the choice you make given your resources.   

The significance of the small is throughout Scripture!

As I wrote yesterday, Jesus expressed this very Truth as He watched offerings being placed in the offering box in the Temple.

Jesus observed and spoke in Mark chapter 12:

41 Then Jesus sat down near the offering box, watching all the people dropping in their coins. Many of the rich would put in very large sums,

42 but a destitute widow walked up and dropped in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny.

43 Jesus called His disciples to gather around and then said to them, “I tell you the Truth, this poor widow has given a larger offering than any of the wealthy.

44 For the rich only gave out of their surplus, but she sacrificed out of her poverty and gave to God all that she had to live on, which was everything she had.”

Her offering was of much greater quality.  Why?  Jesus isn’t impressed by external abundance if it is not associated with purpose.  Many wealthy men and women give in order to get their name on a building.  I have been around a few of them, and their egos were the purpose behind their giving.  That is the essence of their reward.

Unless we have the adjustments of the source of our purpose made in our heart, we can’t be trusted with the measure He would like to entrust us with.

Jesus sees things different.  He gives us the warning in Scripture, don’t despise the day of small beginnings. Why?  Heaven sees moments such as the widow’s offering different than we do.  If you give a dollar with the right purpose, it is greater than the one who gives a thousand dollars with the wrong intent.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 7:

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart ( his innermost being) will flow rivers of Living Water.”

39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

One drink becomes a river of Living Water!

It is recorded by The Holy Spirit in Isaiah chapter 44:

3 I will pour refreshing water on the thirsty and streams on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your children, My blessing upon your descendants.

FATHER invites us to an abundant life in Isaiah chapter 55:

1 “Listen! Are you thirsty for more? Come to the refreshing waters and drink. Even if you have no money, come, buy, and eat. Yes, come and buy all the wine and milk you desire—it won’t cost a thing.

2 Why spend your hard-earned money on something that can’t nourish you or work so hard for something that can’t satisfy? So listen carefully to Me and you’ll enjoy a sumptuous feast, delighting in the finest of food.

3 Pay attention and come closer to Me, and hear, that your total being may flourish. I will enter into an everlasting covenant with you, and I will show you the same faithful Love that I showed David.

The key to flourishing is to listen carefully and respond without delay.  FATHER desires for us to be closer to HIM and take on HIS Nature.  If you ask HIM for an oak tree and HE gives you an acorn, plant it, water in, and be thankful for it.  If you give to others with the right intent, FATHER will bless you with greater resources.

Jesus illustrated this Truth when the disciples asked Him to increase their faith in Luke chapter 17:

5 Upon hearing this, the apostles said to Jesus, “Lord, you must increase our measure of faith!”

6 Jesus responded, “If you have even the smallest measure of faith (as a mustard seed), it would be powerful enough to say to this large tree, ‘My faith will pull you up by the roots and throw you into the sea,’ and it will respond to your faith and obey you.”

The significance of the impact of faith was not seen in its size; it was seen in its quality.

Most believers lack an understanding of what it really means to tithe!

Tithing is primarily a Spiritual practice rather than a financial obligation.

Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave Him a tithe of all.

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Malachi chapter 3:

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My House, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of Heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts;

12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.

Tithing is about spiritual alignment, covenant positioning, and kingdom access, which affects a believer’s heart posture and authority.

Spiritual Alignment and Covenant: Tithing is an act of Spiritual recognition and a declaration of dependence on God as the Source and Provider.

Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20 was an act of honoring covenant, not buying favor.

Opening Windows of Heaven for Clarity and Wisdom: Malachi 3:10, often associated with financial blessing, is interpreted as opening “Windows of Heaven” for sight, perspective, and clarity. This leads to better discernment, reduced confusion, and increased confidence.

Lordship and Divine Order: Tithing is a practical declaration that God is first in all aspects of Life, not just finances. This Spiritual priority unlocks Spiritual order, relieving worry and fear, and fostering a posture of rest and trust.

Rebuking the Devourer and Divine Protection: God promises to “rebuke the devourer” for those who tithe. The devourer is described as the enemy draining peace, stability, and resources, and tithing activates Divine protection beyond just financial aspects, extending to decisions, relationships, and Spiritual strength.

Declaration of Identity and God-Dependence: Tithing reinforces the believer’s identity as a covenant child of God, living under His laws and drawing from His economy. It breaks the pattern of self-reliance, shifting the heart to God-dependence, which leads to reduced stress, increased joy, and clearer decisions.

Creating Capacity and Partnership: Tithing expands internal capacity for wisdom, clarity, peace, and intimacy with God, preparing the heart to receive more. Ultimately, tithing is presented as an act of partnership with God, stepping into heaven’s economy and participating in the advance of the kingdom, which unlocks destiny and transformation.

Understanding this Spiritual positioning is crucial, as the enemy attacks trust more than provisions, and tithing enables believers to advance rather than retreat.