Why Motives Matter: The Heart Behind Generosity with Pierce Taylor Hibbs

That’s the point: Giving is never merely transactional. It’s deeply spiritual. It reveals what we value most.

This reframes generosity. It’s not just about allocating money. It’s about the posture of the soul. It includes time, attention, hospitality, compassion, and quiet acts of service—not only dollars in a plate.

So how do we cultivate godly motives? Hibbs suggests beginning with Scripture—especially the Gospels—and watching how Jesus treats people. Jesus continually draws attention to what’s happening beneath the surface: motives, desires, and loves.

We don’t wait for perfectly pure motives to give—we’ll never act if we do. But we do allow the Spirit to search us, shape us, and re-center our hearts on Christ, the God who gives first so that we might become givers.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• My son owns a rental property in Baltimore, but the tenant hasn’t paid rent for two months. This has happened before, and it’s putting financial strain on his family. We’re debating whether to sell the house, but it would need some work. If we keep it, are there any tax deductions or benefits since the tenant isn’t paying? What should my son do?
• I’m 64 and still working full time, but I’d like to withdraw money from my 401(k). Since I’m over 59½, can I do that without the 10% penalty even though I’m still employed? What should I know about taxes and plan rules?
• My wife is retired and in her 60s, but I’m not yet at retirement age. We’re both on the mortgage. Can we still get a reverse mortgage, or do both borrowers have to meet the age requirement?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Motive Is Everything by Pierce Taylor Hibbs (Faithful Steward Issue 4 Article)
• The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor Hibbs
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)
• FaithFi App