Hello friends, welcome to another blog. We have been looking at the gift of giving and I hope something would have resonated with you so far. This is the final blog in this series, be blessed.
It is always encouraged to be kind, to share and to give to others, especially to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. But sometimes our intentions can detract from that beautiful act. Instead of it being something meaningful it becomes a facade to cover up selfishness, greed and self gratification. Do you give because there is a reward to receive in return? Do you give because it makes you feel good about yourself? Do you give hesitantly, considering that your storehouse will be reduced? Why do you give and what is the meaning of it all?
In Luke 21:1-4 we find the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus was in the temple and He observed as the people brought in their offerings. He watched as the rich brought their gifts. There was one person though, a widow, whose offering, I can imagine, made no ‘clinging’ sound as it fell into the offering pot. She had put in two mites or, in other words, two very small coins that did not worth much in the currency of the time. Jesus, however, pointed out that “this widow has put in more than all the others.” How though? The offerings of the rich must have been so much more than two little coins. The answer? The rich gave out of their abundance, but the widow gave all she had. It takes a generous person to give all they have. It takes a cheerful giver to offer, to another, their very last. Don’t get it wrong, rich people too can give cheerfully. It is not about how much you have but what’s in the heart as you give.
In his address to the church in Corinth Paul tells them, “He that sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Paul was referring to the gifts that the church was to give to the ministry. This verse still stands true today, if your giving is stingy your reward or your receiving will also be stingy but if you give bountifully, whether it is directly to a church or to someone in need, then your reward will be bountiful. The reward might not come at the same time or even in this lifetime but those who serve others just as Jesus did will receive eternal life.
Paul continues, “so let everyone give as they already decided- not reluctantly, or because they have to, for God loves a cheerful giver” (vs 7). When we are giving, it should not be because we must give neither should we be hesitant to give to those in need. Something inside of us, a longing to help or see others happy, should motivate us to assist where we can. Giving also should not be about the giver or the rewards to be received. We become cheerful givers when we extend to someone else, even from the little we have, because we hope to see them in a better position. Though giving has physiological and psychological benefits to the giver, it should never be a case that we help others because it makes us feel good about ourselves. Our motives would be wrong and our hearts in the wrong place.
I pray, friends, that we will all grow to be cheerful givers. May the focus not be on self but on Jesus and the souls out there who need our help. May they truly benefit from our blessings and our gifts.
And don’t forget to do what is good, and to share with others what you have, for God is pleased when you make such sacrifices.
Hebrews 13:16 FBV
Thank you for reading. See you in 2024.
ThreeSixteen Ministries 