Category Archives: Personal Insights

Sharing Our Personal Insights about experiences and recent events

The Joy of Giving_Acts20:3

The Joy of Giving

Monthly Food for the Spirit 2013 for the month of April

Have you received a gift from other people, friends, family or loved ones? It feels good, right? But which was more fulfilling – the act of giving or receiving? Most people give if they think they are able to give but some don’t give at all. While others give generously no matter what. But what if your possessions that you have been taken away or ran out and all was gone, are you still willing to give? The Bible teaches us different view about giving. Let us discover that to give is indeed better than to receive. I pray that we understand the joy of giving and we all experience its wonderful blessings.

The Joy of Giving_Acts20:3

Giving is one of the gifts God has given to us. Giving is not an obligation but an act of love to share something that a person has with willingness. In this way, you will not feel as if giving is a must thing to do that leads you to resentment. Others with this kind of gift can give what is more than what they can give without hesitation but with joy – generous giving.

I believe that God didn’t require us to give what we can not give. But neither we have an excuse not to give. Giving is not limited to money, wrapped gifts, new stuff, and other material things. You can give other possessions you have like our time, hearts and our lives to Him. In fact, God enable us to give as it is written:

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17, NKJV

A LIVING TESTIMONY

There’s a couple living in abroad without an income for several months because of losing a job. As a resident here in Japan, it is really hard to live here without something to spend. If we were in that situation, what would be our attitude like? They have the choice to worry about how to pay for house rent, utilities, food, medical needs and even taxes. But not having an income didn’t hinder them to give. Despite of their situation, they chose to live life with overflowing gratitude and thanksgiving. And through faith and earnest prayer, they claim that God is the one who gave them the ability to produce wealth. And He is the one who will open doors for opportunities for them in that foreign land.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18, NIV

I believe God saw their hearts that they came to realized that you can not find true happiness with the things in this the world, but rather having a God who is an ultimate Giver made them feel secured. Then later, God indeed provided them the resources and work they needed.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19, NIV

INSPIRED BY THE STORY – THE WIDOW’S OFFERING

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4, NIV ; Mark 12:41-44,NIV

Most of us are familiar with the story of the widow that gave all she had as an offering. This is the best example on how we should give. God doesn’t want your money for He himself provided us those blessings. But God looks at the heart. We give on what we are not reluctant but what he or she decides in heart for the Lord is blessed in people who have JOY IN GIVING. That’s how we blessed God with our finances.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV

WE WERE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

Not all kinds of giving are pleasing to God. Remember that He doesn’t look at the amount you are giving but towards the attitude of the giver and the condition of your heart. Some give because they want something in return. They wanted to be known and feel good because of what they’ve done. This attitude of giving definitely don’t please God. The reason the Lord blessed us so that we will be a channel of blessings to others. This is our response that all we have in this world is not ours. And it is all because of God’s generosity.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:1, NIV

This verse is a prayer made to God that we will abound and increase our fruits in every thing we do in faith whether spiritual or material things that we may supply also to the needs and wants of others.
He will not just provide for a week, or a month, or year but enough to supply for our future. God is the most generous and ultimate giver you could ever know. If we want blessing of joy, peace, spiritual strength and even blessings in our finances, He will never hesitate to give us.

There are lots of opportunities to give in our everyday lives. We can give to the needy, church, friends, even share out time, talents, skills to anyone who ask for our help. This is a great opportunity to use our gifts, wisdom and wealth wisely. Use it for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Be responsible with your wealth. God gave us wisdom to be responsible for our blessings.

A thankful heart gives generously. Let us honor God with our finances!

A SHORT PRAYER:

Thank you Lord for You are so good and generous to me. Help me to give what is Yours and what You deserve. And with everything that I have, I offer to You with thanksgiving. Give me a joyful heart to give for the glory of Your name. We want to thank you Lord for using people that shares their blessings to shows Your faithfulness and goodness for the advancement of Your Kingdom. We pray that they will continue to practice this God-given gift and they will not lack, for You are our Great Provision. We pray for our brothers and sisters in need that they will experiences Your great supplication and multiplications of blessings. Continue to enrich us with Your blessings so we can be a good steward and a channel of Your blessings, in Jesus’ name. Amen

The Joy of Giving_Hebrews 7:7

Share Button