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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.

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(2 Corinthians 9:7)

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.(2 Corinthians 8:12)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.(2 Corinthians 9:8)

Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,(2 Corinthians 9:10)

you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.(2 Corinthians 9:11)

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."(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 Yahweh with your substance,

with the first fruits of all your increase;(Proverbs 3:9)

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in the power of your hand to do it.(Proverbs 3:27)

The liberal soul shall be made fat.

He who waters shall be watered also himself.(Proverbs 11:25)

A man’s gift makes room for him,

and brings him before great men.(Proverbs 18:16)

There are those who covet greedily all day long;

but the righteous give and don’t withhold.(Proverbs 21:26)

Open your mouth, judge righteously,

and serve justice to the poor and needy."(Proverbs 31:9)

Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength."(Nehemiah 8:10)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of Armies, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for.(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.

Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:2)

But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.(Matthew 6:3,4)

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. (Matthew 10:8)

Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."(Matthew 19:21)

Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.(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 what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given you of your own.(1 Chronicles 29:14)

Also delight yourself in Yahweh,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.(Psalms 37:4)

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back,

but the righteous give generously.(Psalms 37:21)

If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:3)

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