Giving

It is better to give than to receive; we’ve all heard this before. This verse is found in Acts 20:35. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” How many of us believe this? How many of us are putting others before ourselves? Giving is not relegated to only material things. There are so many ways that can assist others. We can lend an ear to someone who needs to vent. We can lend our time to aiding the elderly, serving the less fortunate, babysitting, helping to clean the home of someone who is ill, preparing a meal, simply showing love. Small gestures mean a lot.

By sacrificing, we can give to others which is the best act of service.  God the Father is the ultimate giver. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him Should not perish but have everlasting life…. John 3:16 Jesus gave us the ultimate sacrifice of all, His life. How much more should we give of ourselves. I’m being challenged in many areas of my life. One of the biggest struggles for me is giving of my time. I’m selfish with my time. I know. I know selfishness and being a child of God are oxymoronic as believers are supposed to be givers as we have the nature of Christ in us. We are called to give. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your bosom. For, with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”. Luke 6:38. Also, in Hebrews 13:16, it says, “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.” We are not to get caught up in what others are doing and giving. Nor are we to let others tell us what we should or should not provide; the Spirit of God must lead us in all that we do.

Challenge: I challenge you this week to be intentional about giving. Be open to giving of your time, resources, home, heart, etc. Let us demonstrate love in action!

Let’s Pray,

Father, it’s in the name of Jesus that we come before you. Father, we thank you for waking us up this morning and giving us another chance at life. Help us to live a life that’s pleasing to you. Give us wisdom, Father, to be sensitive to meet a need in another’s person’s life this week. Cause us to be selfless instead of selfish and to put our focus on others. We love you, and we praise you. In Jesus’ name, we pray.