Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of giving and inner purity? Setting Luke 11:41 in Context “ But give as alms what is within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” Giving That Flows from the Heart • Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” • 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” • Acts 20:35 — “ ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” • Proverbs 11:25 — “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” • Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.” • Matthew 6:3-4 — “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” God Looks at the Heart • Psalm 24:3-4 — “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? … He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” • Matthew 5:8 — “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” • Psalm 51:6 — “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” • 1 Samuel 16:7 — “The LORD does not see as man does; for man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” • Philippians 4:8 — “Whatever is pure… think on these things.” • 2 Timothy 2:22 — “Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness… with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” • James 4:8 — “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Where Generosity and Purity Meet • Matthew 23:25-26 — “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean.” • James 1:27 — “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” • Mark 12:33 — “To love Him … and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” • 1 John 3:17 — “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no compassion on him, how can the love of God abide in him?” Takeaway Truths • Jesus pairs generosity with cleansing, showing that genuine giving springs from an undivided heart. • Scripture consistently affirms that outward acts please God only when accompanied by inner purity. • A pure heart produces open hands; open hands, exercised in faith, reinforce a pure heart. |
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