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For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~ Luke 12:34
Luke 12:34 states, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Here Jesus is addressing the direction of the affections and priorities of a person directly. From the Bible alone we know precisely what this says: what is most important to us defines the real state of our hearts. Contextually, Jesus is instructing His disciples not to lay up treasures on earth, which are temporary and unreliable, but to look for treasures in heaven that are permanent and secure. The issue is not world riches or world ambitions but love for God and living for His kingdom.
The biblical teaching of giving is rooted in love, justice, and mercy. In the Old Testament and New Testament, God keeps on instructing His people to care about the poor, the widows, the fatherless, and the strangers within their community. As per James 1:27, "pure religion" before God means caring for orphans and widows in distress. Similarly does Paul urge believers to serve unto those who toil in the sharing of the gospel, not for their enrichment, but that their needs might be met so they would have time to preach the Word (1 Corinthians 9:14, Philippians 4:16-17). Giving, therefore, is not to be done for the purpose of constructing great buildings or accumulating wealth for church leaders, but for the furtherance of the gospel and in evidence of God's love in concrete expressions of care and generosity.
Jesus' statement in Luke 12 calls the believer to examine what they really value. If the heart is fixed on eternal things, on God's will, His people, and His truth, then resources will be utilized to serve those ends. Giving to widows and orphans, ministering to the poor, and sending out witnesses to preach the gospel are all means of investing in the kingdom of God. This is Scriptural giving: not to glorify man's institutions, but to show the heart of God through acts of kindness and by proclaiming the good news of salvation in Christ.
When preachers and ministries ask for money, their stated reasons can vary widely, but the real use of those funds depends on the heart and integrity of the individuals and organizations behind the request. Biblically, giving is meant to support the work of the gospel, care for the needy, and meet the needs of those who labor faithfully in teaching and preaching. But sadly, not all ministries handle resources in a way that honors God.
In many cases, when preachers beg for money, especially in emotionally charged or manipulative ways, the money often goes to maintain the ministry’s image, fund lavish lifestyles, or build physical empires, like bigger buildings, expensive media productions, or personal luxuries for leaders. This kind of giving often lacks transparency and accountability. The Bible never supports this model. In fact, Scripture warns against leaders who exploit the flock for personal gain (Ezekiel 34:2-4, 2 Peter 2:1-3).
In contrast, when giving is done with a pure heart and directed toward truly godly purposes—like helping the poor, supporting missionaries, caring for widows and orphans, and equipping believers to grow in their faith—it does honor God. Paul commended the Philippians for their sacrificial giving, not because he sought a gift, but because their generosity was “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). God is honored not by the size of the gift, but by the heart behind it and the way it is used to further His kingdom.
So, the real issue isn't just asking for money, but why and how it's being used. Ministries that are transparent, focused on the gospel, and care for others without self-enrichment are aligning with Scripture. Those that manipulate, enrich themselves, or build kingdoms of men are not. The key for believers is to give prayerfully and wisely, being discerning about where their treasure is going—and whether it's truly serving the purposes of God or the ambitions of man.
Remember that we are personal accountability before God and the importance of discernment in whom we give to.
According to Scripture, we are responsible for how and why we give. God looks at the heart of the giver. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If you give out of love for God and a desire to help others, and you have prayerfully done your best to discern that the ministry or person is trustworthy, then your offering is pleasing to God. Your accountability is in your intent and obedience.
However, this does not mean we should give blindly. The Bible warns believers repeatedly to be on guard against false teachers, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and those who exploit others for gain (Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29-30, 2 Peter 2:1-3). So while you are not directly responsible for what others do with the money once it leaves your hands in good faith, you are responsible to be a wise and faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you.
Think of it like planting seeds. If you sow into good soil, meaning ministries that are Christ-centered, biblically sound, and fruit-bearing, the harvest will be righteous. But if you knowingly support corruption or spiritual manipulation, even under the guise of doing good, then there is a level of shared responsibility. Galatians 6:6-8 reminds us that we reap what we sow, whether to the flesh or the Spirit.
So in short, God holds you responsible for your motives, your discernment, and your obedience to His Word. You are not accountable for the hidden sins of others if you give in good faith, but if you ignore red flags, support ministries that twist Scripture, or give just to get a blessing, then yes, there is accountability there too. Giving is an act of worship, and God desires it to be done in truth, love, and wisdom.
Know the Bible - April 7
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~ Luke 12:34
Luke 12:34 states, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Here Jesus is addressing the direction of the affections and priorities of a person directly. From the Bible alone we know precisely what this says: what is most important to us defines the real state of our hearts. Contextually, Jesus is instructing His disciples not to lay up treasures on earth, which are temporary and unreliable, but to look for treasures in heaven that are permanent and secure. The issue is not world riches or world ambitions but love for God and living for His kingdom.
The biblical teaching of giving is rooted in love, justice, and mercy. In the Old Testament and New Testament, God keeps on instructing His people to care about the poor, the widows, the fatherless, and the strangers within their community. As per James 1:27, "pure religion" before God means caring for orphans and widows in distress. Similarly does Paul urge believers to serve unto those who toil in the sharing of the gospel, not for their enrichment, but that their needs might be met so they would have time to preach the Word (1 Corinthians 9:14, Philippians 4:16-17). Giving, therefore, is not to be done for the purpose of constructing great buildings or accumulating wealth for church leaders, but for the furtherance of the gospel and in evidence of God's love in concrete expressions of care and generosity.
Jesus' statement in Luke 12 calls the believer to examine what they really value. If the heart is fixed on eternal things, on God's will, His people, and His truth, then resources will be utilized to serve those ends. Giving to widows and orphans, ministering to the poor, and sending out witnesses to preach the gospel are all means of investing in the kingdom of God. This is Scriptural giving: not to glorify man's institutions, but to show the heart of God through acts of kindness and by proclaiming the good news of salvation in Christ.
When preachers and ministries ask for money, their stated reasons can vary widely, but the real use of those funds depends on the heart and integrity of the individuals and organizations behind the request. Biblically, giving is meant to support the work of the gospel, care for the needy, and meet the needs of those who labor faithfully in teaching and preaching. But sadly, not all ministries handle resources in a way that honors God.
In many cases, when preachers beg for money, especially in emotionally charged or manipulative ways, the money often goes to maintain the ministry’s image, fund lavish lifestyles, or build physical empires, like bigger buildings, expensive media productions, or personal luxuries for leaders. This kind of giving often lacks transparency and accountability. The Bible never supports this model. In fact, Scripture warns against leaders who exploit the flock for personal gain (Ezekiel 34:2-4, 2 Peter 2:1-3).
In contrast, when giving is done with a pure heart and directed toward truly godly purposes—like helping the poor, supporting missionaries, caring for widows and orphans, and equipping believers to grow in their faith—it does honor God. Paul commended the Philippians for their sacrificial giving, not because he sought a gift, but because their generosity was “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). God is honored not by the size of the gift, but by the heart behind it and the way it is used to further His kingdom.
So, the real issue isn't just asking for money, but why and how it's being used. Ministries that are transparent, focused on the gospel, and care for others without self-enrichment are aligning with Scripture. Those that manipulate, enrich themselves, or build kingdoms of men are not. The key for believers is to give prayerfully and wisely, being discerning about where their treasure is going—and whether it's truly serving the purposes of God or the ambitions of man.
Remember that we are personal accountability before God and the importance of discernment in whom we give to.
According to Scripture, we are responsible for how and why we give. God looks at the heart of the giver. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If you give out of love for God and a desire to help others, and you have prayerfully done your best to discern that the ministry or person is trustworthy, then your offering is pleasing to God. Your accountability is in your intent and obedience.
However, this does not mean we should give blindly. The Bible warns believers repeatedly to be on guard against false teachers, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and those who exploit others for gain (Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29-30, 2 Peter 2:1-3). So while you are not directly responsible for what others do with the money once it leaves your hands in good faith, you are responsible to be a wise and faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you.
Think of it like planting seeds. If you sow into good soil, meaning ministries that are Christ-centered, biblically sound, and fruit-bearing, the harvest will be righteous. But if you knowingly support corruption or spiritual manipulation, even under the guise of doing good, then there is a level of shared responsibility. Galatians 6:6-8 reminds us that we reap what we sow, whether to the flesh or the Spirit.
So in short, God holds you responsible for your motives, your discernment, and your obedience to His Word. You are not accountable for the hidden sins of others if you give in good faith, but if you ignore red flags, support ministries that twist Scripture, or give just to get a blessing, then yes, there is accountability there too. Giving is an act of worship, and God desires it to be done in truth, love, and wisdom.
Know the Bible - April 7
