God freely gave to us but it cost His Son, Jesus, everything. We were freely able to receive at someone else’s expense - Jesus’. All that He asks of us is our commitment to follow in His ways by listening to His instruction.

Part of His instruction has to do with our need to freely give to others as the Lord has freely given to us. He expects us to have the same heart towards others that we know God has toward us. Mercy triumphing over judgment. (James 2:13)  The basic motivation for our every action needs to be rooted and grounded in love. Our first thought needs to be our willingness to act in love in whatever way the Lord leads. Love is not footloose and fancy free – it is deliberate and obedient to the Spirit’s leading. There is a discernment involved (as I learned from the Rescue Mission).

When I give to others to appease my guilt or to feel good, my giving becomes all about me; that does not display the love of the Lord. That is when we could end up with more guilt and doubt. We need discernment to know the difference between pleasing God and appeasing ourselves. Pleasing the Lord through our giving produces the fruit of righteousness, only if done with the proper motive.

How do we know the difference?

By having a relationship with the Lord, we have learned to communicate with Him. As this relationship grows, the communication becomes stronger and the still small voice (confirmed by the Word of God) becomes louder within the depths of our hearts. God wants us to be able to pray, “Oh Lord, what do you want me to do in this situation?” By spending time in His Word, certain verses will come to your mind. This is the Lord’s leading by the Holy Spirit. Part of the Holy Spirit’s role in your life is to bring to remembrance the instruction and ways of God (John 14:26).

The only way to walk in the freedom of the Lord (guilt-free) is by including Him in the conflicts of everyday life, like pulling up to the homeless at a stop light. I pray, “Give me Your will in this situation. Should I give or not?” I wait, I listen and then I act in accordance. Whatever I end up doing, I do in faith believing that the Lord has led me. It could be anything from giving money, to giving food, to parking and sharing the gospel, to praying for the person, to giving clothes, a gift card or a Bible. It is not a random thought that comes to mind and calling it faith. It is about humbling yourself in prayer and seeking His heart through Bible reading as you desire to be led by His Spirit, not your thoughts.

I went to Connecticut to celebrate Thanksgiving because that is the part of the country where Thanksgiving started and it was where I could practice loving and thanking the Lord. In the same way, I continually go to the Lord for discernment on decisions regarding giving because He is where my Christian life started – and I grow richer as I include Him in every situation of my life.