When one thinks of giving it is usually in monetary form. This is a needed and a
taught principle in the Word of God; however I want to turn our attention today
to other forms of giving that are also taught in the Bible, but vastly overlooked in
our society today. I find it somewhat baffling that Christians shy away from the
topic of giving. God Himself is the ultimate example of giving, John 3:16 "For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." If it were not for His
sacrificial giving, we would all be doomed to an eternity in Hell!
Luke 6:30 & 31 "Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that
taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men
should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
As looked at in previous devotionals, we are a selfish and self-serving society. We
tend to border on the "hoarder" mentality. Many of us live surrounded by things
that we don't use. Yet if there were a need made known and we could meet it, we
struggle to part with this item that is useless to us! Why? Because our old nature
wants, wants, wants. Proverbs 3:28 "Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and
come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee."
We can give in different ways, our money, our time, the necessities of life, our
possessions, our talent. We know what is involved in the giving of our money. What
do we mean about these others?
Our Time. Proverbs 3:27 "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Our days are overflowing with
long lists of things we have to do. What about sacrificing some of your valuable
time to help someone. Perhaps there are some older folks who can't get out and
would be so encouraged by a visit or phone call. Making a meal for someone
sick. Taking some time to send a card to a missionary who might be going through
some discouragement. Mowing a neighbours lawn. God will bless a sacrifice of time.
The necessities of life. "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed: for he
giveth of his bread to the poor. Even though we are not a third world country,
unfortunately we are surrounded with the poor and hungry. They are in our churches,
surprised? Don't be, my own family got meals regularly from the local food bank
for over a year before people in our church found out and began bringing groceries
to us ( www.cindylea62behindthesmile.blogspot.com ). You don't have to be literally
on the streets to be going hungry. Donate to the food banks, give to the food drives,
and become interested in the lives of those who share a pew with you on Sundays.
Our possessions. Proverbs 21:26 "He coveteth greedily all the day long: but
the righteous giveth and spareth not." We've already touched on this one. There
are many charities around that take bigger items that are still good but just go unused.
There is an organization back in Yarmouth NS where I come from that's called,
"Needs to Deeds." They pick up items (my old washer and dryer) and deliver them
right away to someone that is in need of them. We are a wasteful society, many things
that we thoughtlessly throw out, would be received with gladness by a needy family.
Our talent. Romans chapter 16 I am not going to write out this whole passage.
Here we find a long list of people that were of a help to the Apostle Paul. Women
and men are listed. One in particular stands out in the first two verses, Phebe. All
it says of her is that she "hath been a succourer of many." The word succourer
means "to give help, relief and aid to another." Each one of these people listed helped
Paul is some way, and it would be according to their talents. God does not give us a
certain ability, just to put it aside and not use it! God expects us to use our talents for
Him. The giving back of our talents to God is a sacrificial giving. Playing the piano
demands long hours in practice; singing demands practice. Being able to entertain
and give of your time in making others feel at home and providing for them is a
talent! If you have an encouraging demeanor, use it to encourage others! Don't
waste the talents God has given you!
Giving is of the new nature, the polar opposite of selfishness and hoarding, the old
nature. It must be nurtured, cultivated and practiced in order to become a learned
habit in our lives. We must give out of love, not be forced or shamed into it. God
will bless giving when it is done His way. 2 Corinthians 9:7 "For God loveth
a cheerful giver." Ultimately, everything we possess has been given to us from
God, it's His to give through us!
God wants to bless us immeasurably by meeting the needs of those around us through
us! Will you allow yourself today to become a conduit for His provision to others? I
guarantee that a life of giving is a life of blessing! Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the
tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove Me
now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessings, that there shall not be room enough to
receive it."
No comments:
Post a Comment