04/26/2022
When we give, whether it be tithes, gifts, or to sustain another, the act of giving in love increases the worth of what we have given. On the other hand, when we receive a gift from someone, we shouldn’t revel in what it has done in our lives, but for the fruit it produces in the life of the giver. In this way, we might help someone in need, or benefit the church with our offering, but the real value comes in how it increases our own faith, and the spiritual warmth we realize from this simple act, because we are giving God’s bounty… not ours.
“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”
Philippians 4:17 ESV
We feel a sense of joy in our giving, not because of what it does for us, or for any recognition it brings us in satisfying the need of another, but because it glorifies God. To this end it is incumbent upon us to give all the glory to God for everything we give, and all that we receive.
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36 ESV
I have served food to the hungry at the downtown mission in Nashville, Tennessee, and I can’t begin to describe the feeling that this gives you. To see the gratitude on the faces of those hungry souls gave me a feeling of having fed them, but in truth, none of that food came from me, and I didn’t prepare it, or run the mission. My role was simply to put it on the plate, and hand it to those who needed a meal… but even in this small part of delivering the charitable giving of others, I felt a sense of love for those who were being fed. I felt a part, and that I too was giving.
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’”
Deuteronomy 8:17 ESV
Everything we give belongs to God, and yet we insist on calling it ours; we claim ownership of things that were given us by God, and even behave selfishly regarding it. The food I served at the Mission was not mine, but I felt like it was. It felt like I was giving away my own food even though I hadn’t contributed any of it. Isn’t this how we feel about giving from our own storehouses? When we take what God has given us, and act as if it is ours, then we have forgotten that we are only given stewardship over these things that rightfully belong to the Father. By doing this we turn a blind eye to how He feels when we walk away from someone in need. The bounty we are given is meant to serve God, and to glorify Him… not us.
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV
What we have, indeed all that we have, is from God, and we are meant to use it as He directs so that he will be glorified. How well are we doing this today? Have we hoarded His goodness, and the bounty He has provided to us, or have we buried our talent in the ground out of fear?
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the bounty you provide to some of us so that we can give cheerfully, and thank you for the needy in the world, because they are not being punished, but serve you by allowing others to be blessed with the sweet fruit of their giving. Whether giving or receiving we do so to glorify you Lord, and act out this intricate play of love with every prop, and pence, being provided by you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gives abundantly, and receives our love and praise in return. Your blessings to us becoming our glorification of you. Praised be your name for the hours we spend hungry and in need, and also for those opportunities we have to give your bounty to those in need. Merciful are you who loves the wealthy and the poor alike, and promises those who should fifer in life a bounty in heaven. We thank you father for your Son Jesus who came into this world a simple carpenter, and received gifts from the magi to sustain Him. We pray that you will wash us clean of sin with His blood, and Allow us to experience the gift of eternal life through Him. Find us worthy, and transformed in His image… for He is God who became a simple man, who was beaten and killed as if He were a criminal, and then ascended into Heaven to sit at your right hand… a Prince of peace, a King of Kings, and our Lord.
“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11 ESV
Rich Forbes