Acts 20:35, I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. My prayer this morning is for the family of God to understand the blessing of giving. We all are born with a nature that has a desire and willingness to take from others, as Ive never witnessed parents having to teach their children to take toys, books and games from other children. Now, since we have this nature, the children of God are in need of the strength of God and instruction of the Bible to overcome this sinful nature to be more like their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, while living in this world. In the verse cited, it was the Apostle Paul that reminded the hearers that Jesus Christ said it was more blessed to give than to receive. Why is it more blessed you ask? It is more blessed to give because; (1) Giving will manifest our appreciation to God for the gift of eternal life that He gave us in Jesus Christ our Lord. In Colossians 1:12 the Apostle Paul said, Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. We give thanks unto God, not only by offering ourselves a living sacrifice to His service (Romans 12:1), but also by being willing to give of ourselves to others. In Hebrews 6:10 we read, For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (2) Giving will manifest our love for the Lord. When reading the Bible, no one could question that God loves His children. According to John 3:16, God so loved them that He gave His only begotten Son... But the big question is, how much do we love God? Do we love God enough to put Him and others before our own wants and needs. In 1 John 3:16-18 the lesson is clear, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up the bowels of his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (3) Giving will manifest our trust in the Lord concerning His care for us. In 2 Corinthians 8:2 we read about the brethren and sisters of Macedonia who were willing to give, even in a state of deep poverty. These precious children of God saw that it was a great blessing to give and were excited to do so. In this willingness they all manifested their trust in God for their daily provision and care. In Philippians 4:19 the Apostle Paul reminds them of this truth that they had embraced, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (4) Giving will bring us into a closer fellowship with our God. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 we read, Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. In this verse, the Apostle teaches us that we should give, not because of law (feeling we have to), but because we want to give and see the blessedness of giving. Paul said that God loves a cheerful giver. The word cheerful in this verse is derived from the Greek hilaros. This is the word from which our English language derives hilarious. The verse is simply saying that God loves a hilarious giver (my words). Brothers and sisters, thats a happy giver, dont you think? Amen! Elder Ronnie B. Loudermilk
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:41:05 +0000
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