Giving
Today’s verses show us that giving is a lot of things. They are presenting to us the biblical principle that giving is not only an act of obedience but also an expression of faith and love, which brings both spiritual and material rewards. There is also more than one way the Bible expects us to give. Most think monetarily first, and it is true that giving financially as an extension of yourself (commitment) is very highly regarded in the Bible. God tells us to give with a happy heart, and out of that joyful giving, blessing will come your way. There is also the giving of one’s self, such as your time to help others in need (generosity). However, the most important way to give one’s self is to Jesus, surrendering our life to Him so that His will be done through us. It means letting go of your old life and giving it over to Him in whatever way He sees fit to use you for His glory.
I am a witness of God’s love towards me and my family. When I was first giving my heart to Him, I asked Him, “If You are real, make Yourself real as life to me and I will be Your faithful servant.” And He did, over and over. One of the ways He showed me He is real is one I have written about before. I was a smoker; I told the Lord if He was real, then take smoking from me. He did! I remember so clearly because of how amazing it is. I had gone to church for a Tuesday service; when I was leaving, I put my hand in my pocket book and there were cigarettes in there. I thought “whose are these?” I didn’t remember I even smoked, that is how far He delivered me from it. At the time, my husband also smoked, but I never smoked again. I was never even tempted. God is good!
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 Lors of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Luke 6:38
[Jesus said] “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things; how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He [Jesus] said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So, shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Matthew 16:24-25
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, “if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cress, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Galatians 2:20
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ live in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”