The first and the most important thing
to know about giving is that God only, is the Giver of all the good things of
life.
He gives more grace....
He gives His beloved, sleep....
He gives power to get wealth....
He gives more grace....
He gives His beloved, sleep....
He gives power to get wealth....
No one can receive anything unless God
gives it from heaven – John 3:27
It starts and ends with God.
In all we do, let’s be mindful of the Lord, doing what is acceptable before Him.
It starts and ends with God.
In all we do, let’s be mindful of the Lord, doing what is acceptable before Him.
The practice of giving has been a very
sensitive issue in the Christendom and it has often been misunderstood, and
abused in the Body of Christ.
However, giving is a biblical principle or act, through which one can display an attitude of love, care, kindness and affection towards fellow brethren and to prove our obedience and faithfulness to God’s word. However, it can be done negatively.
However, giving is a biblical principle or act, through which one can display an attitude of love, care, kindness and affection towards fellow brethren and to prove our obedience and faithfulness to God’s word. However, it can be done negatively.
IMPORTANT THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GIVING
1.
God is the Author of giving
He was, He is, and He will be the first and the only giver of all the good things of life. No one can beat God to it.
He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16, Romans 8:32)
He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
He was, He is, and He will be the first and the only giver of all the good things of life. No one can beat God to it.
He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16, Romans 8:32)
He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
2.
No one can bribe or intimidate God with giving
The basic underlying principle behind our giving should be obedience to God’s commandment (Psalm 50:7-15)
The basic underlying principle behind our giving should be obedience to God’s commandment (Psalm 50:7-15)
3.
God is more interested in our hearts than in what we give
It is more honourable to give our hearts to the Lord before we give our substance. While men look at the hand of the giver, God looks at the heart of the giver (2 Cor. 8:5)
It is more honourable to give our hearts to the Lord before we give our substance. While men look at the hand of the giver, God looks at the heart of the giver (2 Cor. 8:5)
4.
Our giving should be borne out of love
The love of God and love unto our neighbours (not self-centeredness) should be the motive for our giving. Jesus commanded us to do things that will attract reward from God, not in expectation from the people we are we are rendering the goodwill to. Moreover, let it be done in secret (Matthew 6:1-4).
The love of God and love unto our neighbours (not self-centeredness) should be the motive for our giving. Jesus commanded us to do things that will attract reward from God, not in expectation from the people we are we are rendering the goodwill to. Moreover, let it be done in secret (Matthew 6:1-4).
5.
It is not possible to honour God with your substance when He is still not the
Lord of your life – Proverbs 3:5-10
6.
Giving provokes the blessing of God upon a man’s life
– Mal 3:10, Psalm 24:3-5
7.
Anyone who cultivates the habit of giving to the needy or for the advancement
of the Gospel, has engaged in a business transaction with God (Psalm 41:1-3,
Prov. 19:17, Psalm 20:1-3).
Let’s always bear it in mind that we
will always reap what we sow in life.
The Bible says ‘Do unto others, what you would want them to do to you...’
Give and it shall be given unto you.... (Luke 6:38)
What are you giving? It’s not about money alone
Are you giving love to your neighbour?
Are you giving faithfulness unto God, your employer/employee, spouse, family...?
Are you giving mercy, kindness, respect, honour to whom it is due?
Are you giving your skills (God-given abilities) for the advancement of God’s kingdom and for developing others?
For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged (Matt 7:2) - NLT
The Bible says ‘Do unto others, what you would want them to do to you...’
Give and it shall be given unto you.... (Luke 6:38)
What are you giving? It’s not about money alone
Are you giving love to your neighbour?
Are you giving faithfulness unto God, your employer/employee, spouse, family...?
Are you giving mercy, kindness, respect, honour to whom it is due?
Are you giving your skills (God-given abilities) for the advancement of God’s kingdom and for developing others?
For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged (Matt 7:2) - NLT
Give,
and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down,
shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.
The amount you give will determine the amount you get back (Luke 6:38) – NLT
God loves a cheerful giver – 2 Cor.
9:7
It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35
It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35
PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
Resident pastor
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