Giving – Part II
Yesterday I shared some thoughts from InTouch on tithing and giving. When most people here the word, giving they get a pain in their billfold. Not all giving is money. Read the scripture carefully and see if you can “read between the lines!”
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 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.”[a] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”[b]
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity[c] in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem[d] will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift[e] too wonderful for words!
For a very long time I’ve strived to give His love in everything I do. I’ve failed more often than I have succeeded, but I get back up and try again. As a Christian walking in the world today, I simply try to live to a higher standard in the way I treat others. I have a formula I want to share;
1. Ask God to let you see others through His eyes. It’s surprising how much less we will judge others and instead, reach out to them, in love, when we allow God let us see how He sees them!
2. Seek to get to know something about everyone you meet. Show a “genuine” interest in others. In doing so you find countless people that need God’s love, and your acceptance.
3. Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. Enough said!
4. NEVER be too busy to say thank you and really appreciate the efforts other make on your behalf. I was raised by a mother and father that taught me to say, please and thank you. They were wise and I realize today that their mentoring was much more than being polite. If we are so self centered that we do not appreciate others kindness, we need to focus our attention more outwardly.
5. Remember that Jesus Christ not only died for you, but for everyone you will ever meet!
So what on earth does this have to do with giving???? God has given you many talents, and the ability to reach out to others, He doesn’t need your money, he owns it all anyway. He wants us to live as lights in this world (His Light!), yes He wants you to be His light in the world, and that my brothers and sisters is called giving, giving of self, our greatest gift…… That’s what Jesus did for us, He gave Himself……
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
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Great post, Bill. How very true. I’m teaching a class on Christ centered care giving tonight at church. We will be discussing the importance of being nonjudgemental when walking along side someone on their journey through suffering. I loved what you said in point one. I plan to quote you! Thank you!
Lynn
Quote from the Lord!
Bill:
Truly inspiring write-up here… In the last four years, I have been studying photography from countless sources. I have seen many photographers with true talents and abilities and some with a great gift to teach. I am still learning.
Till this day, I have not been inspired enough to write a reply to a blog that I have read. Today is that day and I thank you for this great message. I will be sure to visit your site more often as I continue to learn more about both photography and greater things beyond that.
Regards,
Vijil Vergheese
Vijil,
Thanks so much, I welcome you hear, every visit!
This is a hard subject to witness for. I love the way He led you to talk about giving.
Rodney
I’m in the middle of reading a book called “29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving can Change Your Life” by Cami Walker. While I’m only about halfway through it, so far, I’m loving it! It echoes this scripture and at the same time tells a story of her struggle with MS (a disease that my mom has and I’m too familiar with for my own tastes) and how even through those struggles, a giving heart changes her heart for the positive. Great book! Great blog entry today, Pilgrim!
Really good thoughts here Bill. God has done so much for us, Christ gave everything, we’ve been pardoned, redeemed, given help, hope, freedom, Everlasting Life, kindness, His Presence, and so many other things. What more can we ask? Now to use those gifts properly-too many just seem to stop there. They fail to look beyond and see what He yet wants to accomplish in, and through, us. They fail to read, or perhaps to heed the words of Proverbs 3:5 & 6.
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
You’re right Bill, the gifts He’s given us should never end by us just giving money to the ministry, but should produce godly character that is constantly giving and demonstrating God’s own character to a dying world, showing the love that drove Christ to the Cross
God Bless you Bill,
Rob