Dar: o que a Bíblia ensina sobre generosidade e ofertas
Na Bíblia, dar não é uma obrigação imposta para barganhar o favor de Deus. É o reconhecimento prático de que tudo pertence ao Criador e que os recursos que passam pelas mãos humanas servem para sustentar a vida e socorrer quem precisa.
Quando a Escritura trata da generosidade, ela avalia primeiro a intenção do coração, e não apenas a quantia entregue.
A atitude do coração: dar com liberdade e alegria
O apóstolo Paulo orienta a igreja em Corinto sobre a coleta destinada aos cristãos necessitados da Judeia. Ele deixa claro que a contribuição cristã perde o valor espiritual se for feita por pressão social, constrangimento ou tristeza. Deus se agrada da prontidão voluntária, na medida daquilo que a pessoa realmente tem.
Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(2 Corinthians 9:7)
For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.(2 Corinthians 8:12)
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;(2 Corinthians 9:8)
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;(2 Corinthians 9:10)
you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.(2 Corinthians 9:11)
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."(Luke 6:38)
Generosidade prática no dia a dia
Nos livros poéticos e proféticos do Antigo Testamento, a prática de dar está ligada à justiça social e ao temor a Deus. Honrar a Deus com os bens inclui não reter o pagamento ou o socorro de quem tem direito a ele, além de defender a causa do vulnerável. A Bíblia ensina que uma vida avarenta empobrece a alma, enquanto a generosidade abre caminhos e gera comunhão.
Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce;(Proverbs 3:9)
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.(Proverbs 3:27)
A generous person will be prosperous,
And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty.(Proverbs 11:25)
A person’s gift makes room for him
And brings him before great people.(Proverbs 18:16)
All day long he is craving,
While the righteous gives and does not hold back.(Proverbs 21:26)
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the poor and needy.(Proverbs 31:9)
Then he said to them, "Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your refuge."(Nehemiah 8:10)
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this," says the Lord of armies, "if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.(Malachi 3:10)
O ensino de Jesus sobre dar sem exibição
No Sermão do Monte, Jesus adverte contra a prática de ajudar os outros apenas para ser visto e elogiado pelos homens. Dar esmola com discrição protege a dignidade de quem recebe e guarda o coração de quem doa da vaidade espiritual. Para Jesus, a graça recebida de graça deve ser repartida da mesma forma.
"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.(Matthew 6:2)
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.(Matthew 6:3,4)
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.(Matthew 10:8)
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."(Matthew 19:21)
Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.(Luke 6:30)
A origem de tudo o que temos
Ao reunir materiais para a construção do templo, o rei Davi resumiu a essência de qualquer oferta: ninguém dá nada a Deus que já não seja d'Ele por direito. Sem amor genuíno ao próximo e sem gratidão ao Criador, mesmo a doação de todos os bens torna-se vazia.
"But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given to You.(1 Chronicles 29:14)
Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.(Psalm 37:4)
The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.(Psalm 37:21)
And if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.(1 Corinthians 13:3)
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