The Gift of Giving

Dear Friend,

Have you ever stopped to think about the gift of giving? Many would probably not see it as a gift or a blessing, but rather as a requirement or a chore. But it's really a blessing that God has given to us. You see, all of God's government, His kingdom and His creation is based on the principle of giving. Everything was created to take in order to give. The trees take in water and nutrients in order to give shade and fruit. The little birdies take in food and water in order to give song, beauty, and scatter seeds for planting. Everything receives to turn around and give.

Except Satan. He decided he wanted to take and take and take and take and not give. It was all about him. And that's called selfishness. And because of our sinful natures we have more of Satan's ways than we have of God' original plan. It's because of our selfishness that sometimes we look at giving and we don't see it as the blessing that God intends for it to be in our lives. But when we change our perspective and see giving as God designs it to do (to bless the giver), then we begin to practice it and we starts experiencing the blessings that are in it for me, as well as the one receiving.

For example, have you noticed how good it feels to have someone smile at you? To give an encouraging word? To give you a pat on the back? To give you a simple gift? To pray with you when you are feeling down? All these things make a difference, don't they? And the interesting part is when we give, not receive these small gestures, we are blessed even more then if we received them! To speak that encouraging word, to give that pat on the back, to give that simple gift, to pray with someone; you begin to experience the blessing of the gift of giving.

Look at how the Bible puts it: "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25)." Doesn't that put it clearly!

But there's that little thought that pops up that says, "But if I give, I will end up having nothing! I can’t give it all! Who will take care of me?" Hmmm, look what the Bible says again: "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses (Proverbs 28:27)." Is that a promise or what! "Will lack nothing!" But it's not just talking about giving change to the person holding up the will-work-for-food sign at the traffic light. It's talking about giving to those who are poor in their knowledge of Christ, poor in their happiness and joy, poor in their eternal assurance, and poor in their experiencing God. And when we look out for the poor (essentially everyone around us), God Himself takes full responsibility for making sure we are rewarded. "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done (Proverbs 19:17)." Isn't that good news? You are in a business deal with God, and He has never filed for bankruptcy!

In closing, I'd like to share a great quote I read this morning for my devotions:

The heart that receives the word of God is not as a pool that evaporates, not like a broken cistern that loses its treasure. It is like the mountain stream, fed by unfailing springs, whose cool, sparkling waters leap from rock to rock, refreshing the weary, the thirsty, the heavy-laden. It is like a river constantly flowing, and as it advances, becoming deeper and wider, until its life-giving waters are spread over all the earth. The stream that goes singing on its way, leaves behind its gift of verdure and fruitfulness. The grass on its banks is a fresher green, the trees have a richer verdure, the flowers are more abundant. When the earth lies bare and brown under the summer's scorching heat, a line of verdure marks the river's course.

So it is with the true child of God. The religion of Christ reveals itself as a vitalizing, pervading principle, a living, working, spiritual energy. When the heart is opened to the heavenly influence of truth and love, these principles will flow forth again like streams in the desert, causing fruitfulness to appear where now are barrenness and dearth. -- Prophets and Kings, pages 233, 234

Have a great week. Practice giving!

Mark