Showing posts with label the importance of giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the importance of giving. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
You Have Not Because You Give Not
She sits alone at lunch time in a crowded cafeteria. She turns down every invitation to socialize with friends. She won’t reach out to others if it means driving out of her way. It’s simply too inconvenient.
She calls no one. So her phone hardly rings. It’s a selfish, self-centered life she leads. Yet she wonders why she’s so lonely; why it seems no one loves her. No one cares.
Weekends and holidays are the hardest. Her birthdays pass without a gift or even a card from family or friends. Sickness visits, and no one is there to comfort or take her to the doctor. Many nights she cries herself to sleep. What she fails to realize is she has created this sad, empty life. She has not, because she gives not.
The Bible clearly instructs us to give. It’s for good reason. As we give, we bless others. But giving also creates the channel through which goodness flows in our own life. Simply put, your level of giving triggers your level of getting. It isn’t that we give hoping to get. Giving and getting are two sides of the same coin. You can’t give without getting. You can’t get without giving. It’s a universal principal.
Paul explains it in Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Luke 6:38 tells us to “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
So, if you give little “amount,” expect to get little back. If you want to cure your bout with loneliness, offer company and comfort to someone else. That wonderful act of charity alone will cheer you up!
You say you love Jesus and are anxious to get the deeper things of God. Give more time to personal bible study. If you want genuine friends, give of your time to cultivate meaningful relationships. It won’t be convenient. It won’t be easy. It can’t be self-centered.
Such giving is rooted in love. So perhaps we have not because we love not. Love compels us to be givers. What better demonstrates that than Jesus’ sacrifice on the Calvary? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son.” John 3:16.
It was not convenient. It was not easy. It was not self-centered. It was sacrificial. Giving often calls for sacrifice.
Have you ever felt as though you were constantly giving and getting nothing in return? You may be the one who is first to forgive after a fight with your spouse. Perhaps you are the designated encourager in your youth or single’s group. You sacrifice your time to pray for and edify others. But when you need a pick-me up, no one is there with a shoulder for you to cry on. It’s tough. But Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9, saying, “Don’t get weary in well doing.” Remember your ultimate reward comes from God, not from man.
So don’t seek to get. See to give. Give unselfishly and you’ll reap abundance in return. Give love and you’ll never be in short supply of it. Give friendship and you’ll never be without support and fierce loyalty.
Let it not be said of you: “you have not because you give not.”
Scripture Of The Day: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” - Galatians 6:7 (NIV)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Are You A Giver?
Do you regularly present [something] voluntarily without expecting compensation? Or is there a price tag attached to everything you do? Do you want to give, but feel like you need to wait until you make more money or pay off some of your debt first?
Are you afraid to give because you don’t want people to take advantage of your kindness? Do you give regularly but for the wrong reasons? Do you give because you are seeking accolades, recognition, money or something else in return?Are you one of the many people that have been conditioned to think the only way to give is monetarily?
“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
It’s clear from the scriptures that Christ was a giver. Since we are called to be followers of Christ, this is a character trait that we need to apply to our lives as well. However, it is important to make sure that our motives are right and that our giving is genuine.
Then we must realize there are endless possibilities of ways to give and we should take advantage of as many of them as possible. A few include:
You can give skills. Are you a singer, musician, artist, therapist, chef, writer, web designer, accountant, etc. Whatever your area of expertise is, do some pro-bono work for a company that is doing impactful things in the community, but can’t afford your services.
You can give love. There are so many hurting people in the world that could simply use a hug or someone to talk to about various issues of life. Sometimes just a smile is enough love to encourage someone.
You can give kindness. Every day you are presented with many opportunities to do random acts of kindness for those whom you come in contact with. You can offer to help an elderly person or a woman with small children to load groceries in her car. You can give up your seat on the train. You can let someone else have the closest parking spot.
You can give from your overflow. Look around your house; do you really need 8 TVs, 12 winter coats, 49 pairs of shoes and 9 blankets? Or could you donate some of that to the less fortunate?
But do you know one of the greatest gifts you can give?
Give your testimony. Be willing to be transparent and share where and what God has brought you out of during your walk with Him. Your testimony could be the key that leads another to Christ, or back to Christ.
If we all adopted an attitude of giving, the impact would be incredible. So let’s open up our hearts and our eyes and give of ourselves as Christ gave of Himself. It starts with each of us as individuals. So get up … and give!
Scripture Of The Day: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
It’s A Heart Thing
Have you ever been in a relationship with someone where it was all about that person? What about being in a relationship with someone who is completely self-consumed? You know the ones where if they aren't happy, then nobody’s happy! How about when you all would talk, they talked more about themselves than anything else. It became physically exhausting and draining to be around them, all the while knowing that even though relationships should be reciprocal, you basically were an after-thought. They "gave" you nothing.
On the other hand, many of us have been in the kind of relationships that are the total opposite; the kind where the other person is all about you. Their goal within the relationship is being "selfless" vs. selfish. They want to be a blessing to you as much as they can. When you're around them you feel special, appreciated and valued.
The difference between the first and second relationship is that the first one is fueled by selfishness and the second is fueled by giving. The first relationship is long gone while the second is still standing. Why? It is simple. Relationships are about giving. Being in a relationship means that I'm willing to "give" of myself. Whether it's a listening ear, an open heart, time or resources, being in a relationship is all about giving.
Here are a few scriptures that outline the blessing that God lays aside for the giver (Prov 22:9; Luke 6:38 and Matt 6:21). He places high value on giving! It is evident in the greatest act of giving being depicted well in the gospel of John. Check out chapter 3 verse 16. It reads, "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." In this verse God is demonstrating what selflessness is all about. He knew that giving His only Son (although painful), would literally save the world. He didn't have to do it, but because of the greater good, He did.
Giving is not easy, especially when it hurts. You know what I mean? The kind of giving that gives at the expense of self always hurts, but God did it because He loved us and that's the same reason why we should – because we love Him. Whether it's being compelled to give to a person, a cause, or a ministry, we should give because we love. "God so loved... That He gave!"
What we should never forget is that giving is how God determines where your heart is. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). This means that giving is a heart thing. God’s shown us where His heart is. My prayer for us all is that with every opportunity given, we'd return the favor.
Scripture Of The Day: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Make Room for More
In common logic, if you are struggling to make ends meet, then you should save as much as you can. Likewise, if all you have is a little, then you shouldn’t be expected to give, right? Wrong.
Let’s take a journey together to the home of the widow of Zarephath, a few hours before the prophet Elijah arrives. There is a famine in the land and all she has is enough for one last meal. She’s worried. She’s frightened by the lack that looms over her home, casting a shadow on everything in its path. Her cupboards are bare, her pockets are empty, her husband is dead, and all she has left is her son. She’s pacing the floor as she whispers a prayer, tears streaming down her cheeks. At this point she’s come to terms with the fact that she’s about to die, but what she can’t accept is the thought of her only son starving to death beside her.
With a heavy heart she goes to the city gates to gather sticks to bake their last meal. But as she approaches the gates, she sees a man sitting there as though he was waiting for her. Her heart skips a beat as he makes his request known; he needs water and bread. Water, well that’s easy enough, she thinks to herself. But bread? No, that she can’t do, so she confesses on the spot, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die” (1 Kings 17:12).
Now let’s come back to 2011.
Imagine yourself in her plight, being asked to give when you barely have enough for yourself; it’s uncomfortable to say the least. Yet, the story doesn’t end here. In truth, she was completely oblivious to the fact that this was a divine appointment handwritten in the agenda-book of God (1 Kings 17:9). You see, God had heard her cry, He had seen the deep anxiety within her spirit, and He had appointed that day specifically for her breakthrough. All that was now pending was her obedience; and the moment she obeyed, her situation changed forever.
The truth is, giving is easy when we have more than enough, but the real test comes when what we have is far less than what we need. Yet, due to the great level of faith that is required to give in our time of need, it is in these times that our giving creates ripples in the soil of heaven. Trust God today that as you give – to your church, your neighbour, that family in need – that He will ensure that it is given back to you “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).
Scripture Of The Day: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." - Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
Monday, September 19, 2011
e Most Important Part of Giving is Worship
When I asked the Lord, "What is it that YOU want to say this week?" He responded with, "The most important part of giving is worship."
Worship is the most important aspect of the Christian walk. It is through worship that we as believers draw near to God. It's not all about us, or our way of doing things, or seeing things our way. We have to forget about ourselves and bow down, because he's been better to us than we've been to ourselves and because he is God. Yes, we have day to day responsibilities and commitments that are a part of our lives, but we can still have a heart of worship that's a part of our lives too. He desires our worship. It’s important to him. He created us to worship him.
"They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11, NLT).
Here is a revelation of the scripture above that we can apply to our daily lives in this manner of giving. Just like the wise men opened their treasure chests, when the treasure chest in our earthen vessel (body) begins to open up, the gifts of the spirit of God that are within us will begin to flow out. If we will worship God with our whole heart, mind, body, spirit and soul, his presence and power will move in our lives and we will see miracles happen, souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, lives will be delivered and set free . . . great things will happen when we bow down and worship him.
Just as it was very important to the three wise men walking on their journey, to find where Jesus was so they could fall down before him and give their gifts, it should be important to us on our Christian journey today also. They worshiped the Lord by giving their presence and their presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As much as those gifts cost by themselves, they gained even greater value when they were given to Jesus.
We, too, can give our gifts to God and watch him multiply them for his glory. Let us learn from the example of these three men and make a special effort to get back to the most important part of giving, and that is worship.
Scripture Of The Day: "They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Our Standard of Measure
Today I want you to think about your interactions with others in terms of filling up a bucket and pouring its contents onto those people. With that in mind, let’s consider two important factors.
First of all, what’s in your bucket? Jesus points out a number of things that we can choose to pour out on others—namely, material possessions, love, good deeds, money, mercy, and pardon. It’s quite an impressive list. And yet, the Lord calls His followers to an even higher standard. He instructs us to give to “takers,” love our enemies, do good to those who mistreat us, lend expecting nothing in return, and grant mercy and pardon to those who don’t deserve it.
Why would He call us to such extreme action? Because as God’s children, we are expected to treat others the way He treats them—for “He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” ( Luke 6:35).
The second factor to consider is the size of our bucket. Jesus says that by our standard of measure, it will be measured back to us (Luke 6:38). However, we are also told to expect nothing in return from those we treat with kindness (Luke 6:35). The ultimate reward for our loving and gracious behavior will come, not from them, but from the Most High God.
What are you pouring onto others each day? By showering them with grace, you display the character of your Father and show yourself to be His child. Use a big bucket full of love and kindness, and you’ll discover that the Lord uses an even bigger bucket to lavish His goodness upon you.
Scripture Of The Day: "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." - Luke 6: 30-31 (NKJV)
First of all, what’s in your bucket? Jesus points out a number of things that we can choose to pour out on others—namely, material possessions, love, good deeds, money, mercy, and pardon. It’s quite an impressive list. And yet, the Lord calls His followers to an even higher standard. He instructs us to give to “takers,” love our enemies, do good to those who mistreat us, lend expecting nothing in return, and grant mercy and pardon to those who don’t deserve it.
Why would He call us to such extreme action? Because as God’s children, we are expected to treat others the way He treats them—for “He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” ( Luke 6:35).
The second factor to consider is the size of our bucket. Jesus says that by our standard of measure, it will be measured back to us (Luke 6:38). However, we are also told to expect nothing in return from those we treat with kindness (Luke 6:35). The ultimate reward for our loving and gracious behavior will come, not from them, but from the Most High God.
What are you pouring onto others each day? By showering them with grace, you display the character of your Father and show yourself to be His child. Use a big bucket full of love and kindness, and you’ll discover that the Lord uses an even bigger bucket to lavish His goodness upon you.
Scripture Of The Day: "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." - Luke 6: 30-31 (NKJV)
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