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Giving needs no definition does it? Or does it? What does it mean to you?
What do we give? Make a list
Traditionally, when we think of giving what do we think of? If you are like most people, you think of money. But Money is not all we give, is it? . What other sorts of things do we give? Make a list of those things.
When we think of God's gift(s) to us what do we think of? Make a list.
If you are like most people, money came pretty far down your last list. Typically people list, peace, strength, courage, faith, and a few list Jesus
himself as a gift: ( John 3:16 "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"). What God gives is most precious, and can serve as a reminder that giving involves much more than a check.
Who do we give to? Jesus had a few words for us on the subject…
Matthew 5:42 "Give to the one who asks you..."
Matthew 6:2 "So when you give to the needy..."
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
How should we give? It seems that attitude has a lot to do with the "right" way to give.
Matthew 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."
Matthew 6:2 "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 me. I tell you the truth, they have received their
reward in full."
Matthew 6:3 "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. "
1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV) "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
All of us are capable of giving, and indeed, are commanded to share what we have. But some seem to have a gift for it, and that attitude, that spirit of love, seems to be a key indicator of whether we do it as a duty, or have the gift of giving.
Is it ever wrong to give? Now there is a question we rarely look at. Look again at the scriptures.
Matthew 4:8 " Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, if you will bow down and worship me."
Satan tried to give what was not his. And that would be wrong for us as well.
Matthew 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, They may trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces."
Some people do not appreciate your gifts. Some people will not benefit from your giving. Some will turn your gifts against you. This scripture seems to
denote some responsibility in our giving, a responsibility to know when our giving will make a difference. Otherwise, the giving is simply throwing money
away.
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Is it hard to give? It is for some
Matthew 19:20 "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sad, for he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is had for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus did not routinely ask those who followed his way to give up everything. But when the things of life become a barrier to following God’s way, it is time to shed them. And for many it is hard to give back the gifts they have themselves been given.
So, why do we give?
For some it is just their nature. For others it is a tough duty.
For some it seems that we give because we have been given to.
Some give as a commandment as per Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
How do we know if we giving is our gift? Here are some indicators….
* If you have a desire to give generously...
* If you have a strong sense that possessions and talents are things to be shared rather than things to have...
* If giving brings as much (or more) joy than gaining or having....
* If you are able to sense just WHAT a person needs to be able to give them the right things.
* If you are happy to do without things in order to be able to help others (sacrificial giving)
* If it seems natural to give, rather than being something you have to work at....
...Then you probably have the spiritual gift of giving.
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