Do We Come to God to Give or To Get?

Here’s a question for you: Do we come to God to give or to get? 

As believers, we all agree we come to God to get—the precious gift of salvation. But after our eternal home in glory is secured, then we come to God to give, right? 

Everyone knows it’s more blessed to give than receive. We know Scripture doesn’t support the prosperity gospel promoted by false teachers who tell us that if we give (usually to their ministry), God will give us a Mercedes, a clean bill of health, and a trouble-free life in return. We’re not fooled. 

Mature Christians know the Christian life is about sacrifice, giving, denying, and pouring out instead of lapping up. Why else would Jesus say, “Take up your cross and follow me?” 

But God also said, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you” (Jeremiah 7:23). 

And Jesus said, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3-4). 

And what about Jesus’ resounding statement to His disciples as they wondered if there was any reward in following Him? “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life’” (Mark 10:29-30). 

Scripture clearly states there is indeed great reward in following Jesus. When we choose to practice patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control, we reap the fruit of righteousness. When we love, serve, and forgive, joy, peace, goodness, and mercy will flood our days. 

We Don’t Have to Wait 

Flowery beds of ease and heavenly choirs will be marvelous in the sweet by and by, but we live in the nasty now and now. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait to enjoy our rewards. 

Knowing they aren’t limited to eternity gives us strength to persevere. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” 

God rewards us when we seek Him and serve Him. He blesses us when we choose forgiveness over bitterness, prayer over worry, and sacrifice over selfishness. Unlike a reward we earn, these benefits naturally flow out of our obedience. 

Every day, every moment we face a choice, and that choice determines our rewards. Will we choose our way or God’s way? Believe God’s Word to the point of action or depend upon our limited knowledge and insight? Walk by faith or walk by sight? Serve ourselves or serve God? 

Pastor/Teacher John Piper, in his book, The Dangerous Duty of Delight, said, “Based on the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are far too easily pleased.” 

We can obey God’s Word confidently, knowing there is exceedingly great rewards for seeking Him with all our hearts. And we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to receive them. God invites us to come to Him to get. 

Come to God poor, because He is rich. 

Come to God weak, because He is strong. 

Come to God needy, because He is all-sufficient. 

Come to God anxious, because He is our peace. 

Come to God vengeful, because He is our forgiveness. 

If we’re smart, we’ll come to God with open arms eager to receive every good and perfect gift that falls from His benevolent hands. He is the generous Father. We are the grateful recipients. 

The prosperity gospel preachers have it all wrong, but so do pious, short-sighted believers. God’s Word promises He’ll reward our obedient, sacrificial lives. In this life and in the life to come. And He’ll do it in ways too wonderful to imagine. 

The promised Mercedes that will one day break down will pale in comparison to the everlasting joy, satisfaction, and peace of walking with Jesus every day. Only God can fill our lives with good things and satisfy our deepest desires. 

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him,” 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us, and it is so. 

Do we come to God to give or to get? 

Yes. Oh my, yes.

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