Giving as a Way of Life
GIVING HIS SON
The giving of His Son was the most unselfish, love-inspired giving in the history of the universes.
A part of God Himself would be given though it would cost His death for us.
That is the ultimate of giving ALL.
Jesus held up example after example of this giving ALL. This is wholehearted giving out of purest, holy love.
When God lays on our hearts to give, it is followed by giving out of our love for God.
HONOR GOD
Proverbs 3:9a tells us to “Honor the Lord with your possessions…” In other words, honor the Lord with the giving of what we have. Not just giving from our unwanted accumulation of toss-aways, but HONOR GOD giving HIM from our best.
Generously, God has given to us and we should give as He set the example.
GIVING TO GOD
Of course, we can’t give to God directly, but Jesus Himself says that to do for God we are to do for the least of these among us.
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40 NKJV
GIVE JOYFULLY
We will be blessed as we give. Giving should never be grievous.
We are told to give joyfully. The cheerful giver is our goal. (See II Cor. 9:6-7)
Notice also, that the theme and instruction of giving runs from the Old Testament straight through the New Testament.
GIVING OUR ALL
Jesus gives praise to those who give freely and generously.
He especially praises those who give their ALL.
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12:41-44 NKJV
Here we see the example of the widow’s mite. Her desire to give to God cost her all she possessed. She was praised for her love and generosity, not for the actual monetary value of the gift.
God’s math has always been at work.
The loaves and fishes blessed by Jesus multiplied.
The nickel given in love by the homeless man buys a tract that helps bring another the gospel message.
God blesses the giver and the gift.
Food for thought leads us to wonder if the wealthy giving that which costs nothing out of obligation, will bring the results that the sacrificial gift of love brings? Personally, I think not.
MY FIRST MEMORY
I remember one of my earliest memories as a 4-year-old. I had been told of a children’s hospital in need of toys for the children there. Giving most of the little I had, brought me new pure joy. I later recognized the lightness and freedom that such giving brings. I recall that feeling vividly nearly 70 years later. Such giving, again and again, continues to bring the realization that this joy never changes.
Nor does the God Who encourages us to live a life of giving instead of keeping.
WARNINGS AND WORDS TO LIVE BY
In the Old Testament, God warns the Israelites not to forget Him after they have homes and flourishing crops.
In the New Testament, we find many words from Jesus and His followers on the blessings of giving and the evil and dangers of clinging to wealth.
The following verses are prime examples :
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 1 John 3:17 NKJV
Our lives present many opportunities to live sacrificially. The interesting phenomenon is that such giving doesn’t cause loss or sadness but gives an energy level mixed with the purest joy.
How like God! He blesses us as we bless others.
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:3-4 NKJV
LIVE SIMPLY
Having (if only a tiny bit) more than we really need and what to do with it is also taught.
He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Luke 3:11 NKJV
Jesus’ words continue. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV
PERFECTED JOY
He tells His followers, and that includes us today, that if we want to be perfect..perfected in joy and in fellowship with Him…we are to sell what we have and give to the poor.
These are the very words our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said:
“…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 NKJV
Why should we follow this teaching which is so different from what the world says?
We all know the world is telling us on every side to get more, buy more, obtain everything we can and hold on to it as long as we can. Get and get and get even more.
Jesus says give and give and give and watch the blessings that God pours into our hearts.
We are not to give to get, yet that happens.
No, I do not mean things or wealth, though He meets our needs. I mean the spiritual blessings that have no measure, poured into our hearts and lives when we live close to Him.
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV
A NEW WAY TO LIVE
Why live this way. Jesus tells us.
…..” Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 NKJV
We have been given so much from God, we should gratefully give to others out of our gratitude to God and our love for Him and others.
Truly, joy then flows.
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 NKJV
THE BLESSINGS
Jesus said these things and I have found them to be true.
I am a minimalist in this life, but find I have so much joy and spiritual blessings that the earth itself cannot contain them all.
The blessings of such living are far greater than anything earth offers.
An interesting fact of giving in life is that we might give THINGS, but we receive countless times over in SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS.
Often every manner of blessing is poured upon the giver.
One cannot outgive God.
One, however, must never give to get back, but give to outpour God’s Love.
Yes, we get to be a part of that.
His Holy Spirit within us pours God’s Love through us to others.
We get to be used as channels of God’s Divine Love !!!
HE IS WITHIN US!!!
GOD IS WITH US
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23 NKJV
GOD WILL MAKE HIS HOME WITH US!!!!!
Instead of having earthly, temporary, accumulated “stuff”, we have GOD HIMSELF WITH US!!!!!!!