“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
We hear that tidbit of Scripture often, don’t we? If you’re like most people, then as a kid, you thought that was the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard. Surely getting that new toy at Christmas was better than giving a toy to someone else! However, as we mature and learn more about what God has to say, we discover just how true that statement is. Together, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about giving.
YOU'RE GIVING TO JESUS
There’s no doubt that giving to those in need helps those who receive. When you give clothes, food items, or other necessities, you make a real difference in someone’s life. However, when you give and serve and show love like that, you’re doing it for more than just the person directly in front of you. You’re doing it for Jesus himself.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
"The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
What an amazing way to thank Jesus for His goodness to you by showing love to everyone else He loves.
DON'T BE A SHOW-OFF
You’ve probably seen it in your social media newsfeed. That occasional photo of your friend showing the good things they’ve done that day. Maybe it was helping a stranger with a broken down car. Maybe delivering a meal to a new mother. Those are indeed great things! But according to God’s word, giving shouldn’t be something we brag about. Because then who are we really trying to please with our actions? Our Facebook friends or Instagram followers? Or the Lord?
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
So who really is the more important party to please? Clearly, it’s not the people around you who give brief comments on your character and click to like your post. It’s our heavenly Father who sees all and promises to remember your goodness and reward you for it.
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REMEMBER THAT A LITTLE IS A LOT
Have you ever looked at the needs in your community and thought there’s no way you can make a difference? The need is just far too great and you personally don’t have enough resources to make even a dent in the problem. While it may be true that you can’t do much on your own, when many people come together giving what little they have, big things happen.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
This woman Jesus observed didn’t have endless riches from which to give. But she knew it was important to give, and so she gave what little she could. And that giving was recognized and honored by Jesus Himself. Friend, Jesus knows what happens when we each give a little, even sacrificially so, to kingdom work. All the little gifts come together and make it possible for big things to be accomplished.
Here at your Life 90.5, we see that exact thing every day. Little gifts made by friends like you come together to put encouraging Christian music on the air in Wilmington. It’s astounding how God brings it all together to do great things!
GOD LOVES IT
Remember when you were a kid and your parents told you to give half a cookie to your brother or sister? If you were like most children, your face scrunched up and you looked at your hopeful sibling with more than a little disdain. But under the watchful eye of your parent, you begrudgingly broke it in half. Then, you carefully inspected which piece was just slightly bigger before handing off the smaller half to that eager cookie stealer right next to you. Sound familiar? Let’s be honest though – that kind of giving wasn’t accompanied with the best attitude, was it? And God doesn’t want a nasty attitude associated with giving to Him or to others either.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Did you see that, friend? God LOVES a CHEERFUL giver! He’s not so crazy about a hesitant, obligatory giver. But He loves it when we give with the right attitude. So, friend, do you give with frustration like you’re sharing a cookie with that annoying sibling? May that never be said of us believers. May we all give with gladness because we know the Lord has blessed us abundantly so that you can in turn bless those around us.
