Not Quenching the Spirit of THE LORD in Giving

Understanding Charity and Its Many Aspects

Before proceeding, it is important to understand that charity in Scripture encompasses far more than just giving money or material goods. Charity includes:

• Giving — financial support, material provision, meeting physical needs
• Time — being present, serving, helping with tasks
• Counsel — offering godly wisdom, guidance, and instruction
• Correction — speaking truth in love, warning, and rebuke
• Patience — longsuffering with others as they grow
• Forgiveness — releasing offenses and extending grace
• Prayer — interceding for others before THE LORD

This study focuses specifically on the giving aspect of charity — the act of providing material or financial help to those in need. However, the principles of discernment, wisdom, and Spirit-led obedience discussed here apply to all aspects of charity.

The Giving Aspect and “Seeketh Not Her Own”

The giving aspect of charity is rooted in the very nature of what charity is:

“Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

“Charity seeketh not her own” — this is the heart of the giving aspect. True charity is not self-seeking. It does not hoard, cling to, or prioritize its own comfort, resources, or interests above the needs of others.

This is why giving is such a central expression of charity — it requires us to release what is “ours” for the benefit of someone else. When we give, we demonstrate that we are not living for ourselves but walking in the love of GOD.

However, “seeketh not her own” does not mean “without wisdom.” The same chapter tells us charity “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). The giving aspect of charity must still be exercised with discernment, guided by the Spirit, and aligned with the whole counsel of Scripture.

Opening Testimony: Obeying the Spirit in Giving

The study began with Bro. Alejandro’s testimony:

He was at court for a ticket when he noticed a man in need. In his heart, he felt led to give the man his boots — but he wasn’t sure: “Is this THE LORD, or just my own compassion?”

So he prayed and asked THE FATHER, by JESUS, if this direction is really from HIM, let the man be outside when he left.

When he went outside, the man was there right in front of him. Alejandro gave him the boots. The man was deeply grateful and said he had just gotten a Bible and had been praying to GOD for help.

This teaches us:

1. Obedience to the Spirit is essential.
2. Spirit-led giving often confirms that GOD is already working in someone’s life.
3. There is nothing wrong with humbly asking THE LORD for confirmation so we don’t move just out of our own thoughts.

“Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 (KJV)

Alejandro’s example shows both: not quenching the Spirit, and proving (testing) what he sensed.

Biblical Pattern: Asking THE LORD for Confirmation

Humbly asking THE LORD for confirmation is nothing new. Scripture provides multiple examples:

Gideon’s Two Confirmations

This is the most direct biblical example of someone asking God to confirm a prompting — and asking for confirmation two different ways.

“And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know…” — Judges 6:36–38 (KJV)

Gideon still needed reassurance — and God did not rebuke him. He asked again, and God answered again.

Abraham’s Servant Finding Isaac’s Wife

“O LORD… send me good speed this day… Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, ‘Let down thy pitcher…’ and she shall say, ‘Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also,’ let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac…” — Genesis 24:12–14 (KJV)

God immediately answered this prayer through Rebekah.

Jonathan Seeking Confirmation in Battle

“If they say thus unto us, ‘Tarry until we come to you’; then we will stand still in our place… But if they say, ‘Come up unto us’; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand.” — 1 Samuel 14:8–10 (KJV)

Hezekiah Asking for a Sign

“What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me…?” — 2 Kings 20:8 (KJV)

God gave him a miraculous sign — the sun going backward.

The Apostles Confirming Judas’ Replacement

“Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.” — Acts 1:24 (KJV)

The pattern is clear: God’s people sometimes need clarity. God invites specific prayers for confirmation. Asking is a sign of humility, not doubt. Acting only after confirmation is wisdom.

The Inner Struggle: Flesh vs. Spirit

Bro. Marquis spoke on how many believers carry financial trauma, survival mentality, and fear about money. This makes the giving aspect of charity particularly difficult.

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do… O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 7:14–25 (Selected, KJV)

This internal war affects how we respond when the Spirit prompts us to give, whether we obey or hesitate, and whether we give wisely or from raw emotion.

We must recognize that flesh can refuse to give out of fear, or give unwisely out of guilt or ego.

Real-Life Challenges in Giving

Brothers shared experiences highlighting the tension between generosity and wisdom.

Bro. Zechariah shared about trying to help someone homeless. The man later got paid for some work but was jumped for the money. At the hospital, the doctor asked him, “How long have you been using?” This opened discussion on addiction, danger, and discernment.

Bro. Ozias noted he rarely has cash, but if he does, he tries to give — yet even in that, we must still have discernment.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” — Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)

Wisdom and prudence are not a lack of charity. They are part of doing charity righteously.

The Reality of the Wicked

True spiritual fruit is about character and conduct — how we walk, not just what we feel.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22–24 (KJV)

But we must also understand the reality of the wicked:

“Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.” — Isaiah 26:10 (KJV)

Showing favor does not always change a wicked heart. Some will use kindness as an opportunity for more sin. The giving aspect of charity must be Spirit-led and discerning, not naïve or blind.

No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

The brothers emphasized there is no one-size-fits-all approach to charity. Sometimes the most loving thing is not immediate rescue.

Bro. Zechariah put it plainly: “Sometimes you have to let someone sit in something.”

“A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.” — Proverbs 19:19 (KJV)

Enabling certain patterns only guarantees you’ll have to rescue them again and again.

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV)

This is not about those who cannot work, but those who will not. We must ask: Is this truly mercy? Or am I saving someone from a consequence that God is using to teach them?

Trying the Spirits: Discernment in Charity

Not all requests, needs, or opportunities to give are sent by God.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” — 1 John 4:1 (KJV)

We must test the spirit behind the situation, the fruit in the person’s life, and whether this giving is aligned with truth — not just need.

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4–6 (KJV)

True charity is patient and kind, seeketh not her own, does not rejoice in iniquity, and rejoices in truth. Charity without truth is not true charity.

Righteous Judgment and Discernment

We are not called to judge by appearances, but to judge righteously.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” — John 7:24 (KJV)

Jesus warned about false prophets and fruit:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits… Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” — Matthew 7:15–20 (KJV)

We are not forbidden to judge; we are forbidden to judge wrongly. We must judge fruit, not just words or appearances.

Faith and Works: Charity in Action

James 2 shows how true faith expresses itself in works — especially in how we respond to need.

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” — James 2:14–17 (KJV)

We must avoid respect of persons. True faith does something when a real need is present. But this must be balanced with discernment and responsibility.

Who Are “Brethren”? Priority in Giving

“Brethren” is not everyone. Jesus defines His brethren:

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” — Matthew 12:50 (KJV)

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” — Galatians 6:10 (KJV)

We do good to all as we are able. But there is a special priority and responsibility toward true brethren.

Biblical Boundaries and Separation

There are times when continued giving or close fellowship is not right — especially when people reject truth and persist in disorder.

“Now we command you, brethren… that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (KJV)

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.” — Titus 3:10 (KJV)

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” — 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” — Amos 3:3 (KJV)

There is a difference between helping someone who truly doesn’t know, and constantly putting yourself with those who have been warned and refuse to change.

Responsibility to One’s Household

One of the strongest scriptures on responsibility:

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” — 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

A person who refuses to care for their own household is not walking in the faith. We are not obligated to financially support someone who abandons basic responsibilities God gave them.

The giving aspect of charity cannot replace repentance and responsibility.

God’s Heart for the Poor

“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” — Proverbs 21:13 (KJV)

While we practice discernment and boundaries, we must not harden our hearts. God hears the cry of the poor. Ignoring real need without cause is dangerous spiritually.

The key is wisdom combined with compassion — not coldness.

Being Hurt While Helping: Still Part of the Walk

Several brothers spoke honestly: sometimes we have given and ended up hurt. We’ve tried to help people and it cost us emotionally, financially, or even in our safety.

Yet we acknowledged: that’s still part of this walk. Sometimes you will be hurt trying to help people. That does not change our calling as followers of Christ.

We looked at JESUS as the perfect example. He came to help, heal, and save — and was rejected and crucified by the very people He came to help.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief… But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…” — Isaiah 53:3–5 (KJV)

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” — John 1:11 (KJV)

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34 (KJV)

Sometimes when we help, we will share in Christ’s sufferings. The possibility of getting hurt is not a reason to stop obeying GOD.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” — 1 Peter 2:21 (KJV)

Final Takeaways

1. True charity is Spirit-led. We must not quench the Spirit, but we must also test what we feel and move in obedience.
2. Charity has many aspects — this study focused on giving. The giving aspect flows from “charity seeketh not her own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Because charity is not self-seeking, it naturally gives. But “seeketh not her own” does not mean “without wisdom.”
3. Brethren are those who do the will of the Father. Priority in giving is to the household of faith.
4. The giving aspect of charity is not enabling wickedness or irresponsibility. Love does not rejoice in iniquity.
5. Biblical boundaries and separation honor God. Withdrawing from the disorderly is obedience, not hatred.
6. Charity must align with Scripture, not just emotion. Our feelings must bow to the Word of GOD.
7. There is a difference between helping those who don’t know and those who have been warned. Ignorance calls for teaching. Rebellion calls for boundaries.
8. Discernment is essential. Not every “need” is a call from God.
9. Asking THE LORD for confirmation is wise and humble. It is right to seek confirmation rather than rushing ahead in the flesh.
10. God cares about both the poor and the order of His house. He commands us to hear the cry of the poor, but also commands those in the faith to provide for their own.
11. Sometimes helping will hurt — and that’s still part of the walk. We follow Christ’s example, walking in wisdom and discernment as we give.

“Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21