"They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do" (Gal. 2:10, HCSB).
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor" (Prov. 11:24, HCSB).
"A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water" (Prov. 11:25, HCSB).
"Since you excel in so many ways--in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us--I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving" (2 Cor. 8:7, NLT).
"You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully'" (2 Cor. 9:7, NLT).
All believers have the privilege and honor of sharing their blessings with others and promoting the work of God by financial support. It's not necessarily how much we give, but the Spirit that we do it in that matters: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (recently canonized by Rome) has said that it's not what you do, but how much love you put into it. What God notices is a cheerful giver (cf. 2 Cor. 9:7) and the willingness to give as unto the Lord. We thank God for His provisions, as the "LORD who will provide" ("the LORD will see to it" (Jehovah-Jireh), and are worshiping God through this act of selfless sacrifice. Giving is not giving if not done sacrificially and if it doesn't hurt, you may be withholding from God who owns it all it in the first place and has given it to you as a steward of His blessings.
The obedient giver knows that Christ's words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive [Acts 20:35]," is the ultimate reality in God's economy. The Bible says that some withhold and suffer loss and some give generously and gain. No one comes out any worse in giving, for the measure we give is returned unto us. It has been said that when we look out for other's interests, God looks out for us and we will never be in need of doing God's work. Generosity is the spirit of true Christian giving and this is an attitude, not a measure or percentage of income--each person must make up his own mind how and how much to give, according to the measure of God's blessings.
If we feel we are obliged to give, it is done legalistically and hypocritically, and God cannot reward it--we must want to give and share our resources (which also includes our time, resources, relationships, talents, opportunities, energy, possessions, and gifts). No one can afford not to give unto the work of God and to help the poor; in fact, if we are having a hard time making ends meet, we may need to open up God's treasures of blessing and share what He already has granted us (i.e., all our provisions from God). In other words, we all need God's blessing on our lives and labors.
If you love money, you will never have enough! The key is to become content with what you have and not to desire to be rich, which will lead to temptation. Paul learned to be content in all situations, whether facing lack or abundance. Not lacking any good thing or blessing doesn't mean that we will have all things: God blesses some in some ways, some in all ways, but all in some way. In sum, God is good to all (cf. Psalm 145:9), and delights to show mercy and bless us. Soli Deo Gloria!
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor" (Prov. 11:24, HCSB).
"A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water" (Prov. 11:25, HCSB).
"Since you excel in so many ways--in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us--I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving" (2 Cor. 8:7, NLT).
"You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully'" (2 Cor. 9:7, NLT).
All believers have the privilege and honor of sharing their blessings with others and promoting the work of God by financial support. It's not necessarily how much we give, but the Spirit that we do it in that matters: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (recently canonized by Rome) has said that it's not what you do, but how much love you put into it. What God notices is a cheerful giver (cf. 2 Cor. 9:7) and the willingness to give as unto the Lord. We thank God for His provisions, as the "LORD who will provide" ("the LORD will see to it" (Jehovah-Jireh), and are worshiping God through this act of selfless sacrifice. Giving is not giving if not done sacrificially and if it doesn't hurt, you may be withholding from God who owns it all it in the first place and has given it to you as a steward of His blessings.
The obedient giver knows that Christ's words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive [Acts 20:35]," is the ultimate reality in God's economy. The Bible says that some withhold and suffer loss and some give generously and gain. No one comes out any worse in giving, for the measure we give is returned unto us. It has been said that when we look out for other's interests, God looks out for us and we will never be in need of doing God's work. Generosity is the spirit of true Christian giving and this is an attitude, not a measure or percentage of income--each person must make up his own mind how and how much to give, according to the measure of God's blessings.
If we feel we are obliged to give, it is done legalistically and hypocritically, and God cannot reward it--we must want to give and share our resources (which also includes our time, resources, relationships, talents, opportunities, energy, possessions, and gifts). No one can afford not to give unto the work of God and to help the poor; in fact, if we are having a hard time making ends meet, we may need to open up God's treasures of blessing and share what He already has granted us (i.e., all our provisions from God). In other words, we all need God's blessing on our lives and labors.
If you love money, you will never have enough! The key is to become content with what you have and not to desire to be rich, which will lead to temptation. Paul learned to be content in all situations, whether facing lack or abundance. Not lacking any good thing or blessing doesn't mean that we will have all things: God blesses some in some ways, some in all ways, but all in some way. In sum, God is good to all (cf. Psalm 145:9), and delights to show mercy and bless us. Soli Deo Gloria!
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