Give
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"
This cornerstone verse is not only one that believers have memorized, they also know exactly where it is found, in John 3:16. Because the Bible mentions giving over 2,100 times means we should seek to fully understand what it means and how deep it penetrates towards furthering the Kingdom of God. Today we focus on how this looks with our finances, and a little bit beyond.
Let's rewind the tape to when you can recall being saved. There was likely someone involved who was giving - praying for your salvation, perhaps they invited you to church and spoke of God's goodness. If you accepted Jesus in a church, there was a Pastor who gave of himself towards that monumental moment... in prayer, study, leaning on God, listening to Him and being faithful in what God called him to do. There was also a house full of believers who had given faithfully in tithes and offerings, prayers for souls, and giving of their time supporting the work of the ministry.
Jesus tells us that the parable of sowing and reaping is the very principle by which all of the other principles of the kingdom work. Simply said, there is very little that happens in the Kingdom of God until there is giving.
Moving to our finances, the first way is we give is not in the form of tithes and offerings. It is in giving of ourselves to work unto the Lord in our occupation. If we apply the points of Ephesians 6 to "be obedient to those who are our physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all our heart, as service to Christ Himself", including to "do the will of God heartily and with our whole soul... as to the Lord and not to men", we'll be a beacon to others and it will return to bless us.
Now, that you have earned your wages from working unto the Lord, it is time to give back to Him. It is written in Proverbs 3:9 to "Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income". Your giving is to the Lord, but its flow goes towards reaching the lost in your community, nurturing the church body including our precious youth, and spanning across the country and continents through missions.
And because giving is so at the heart of God, He in turn promises in Malachi 3 to show Himself greatly on your behalf for faithfully doing so. He states He will "rebuke the devourer and open the windows of heaven" to you.
Inside and outside of our church body, be sensitive hearing the Holy Spirit to where you can give to others in need. This can be in the form of finances, but also in time and talents you have. Proverbs 19:17 says "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will replay to him". And in Luke 6:38 Jesus said "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over". We do not give to get, but God is restating in these verses how the principle of sowing and reaping is carried out from His point of view above.
Somewhat in the same manner as the December post titled "What He Said", I want to share verses that Christ Himself spoke in the gospels about giving:
"How much more will your Father Who is in heaven give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!" (Matthew 7:11)
"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 11:31)
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever." (John 14:16)
"For even the Son of Man came not to have service rendered to Him, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
To conclude, let's look at Matthew 25, where Jesus speaks of how it was known every... time... you... gave:
Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me. I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to see Me.
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
