Monday, June 25, 2012

Relentless Giving

Luke 6:38b, The way you give to others is the way God will give to you. 

Who doesn't like to receive things? Honestly name one person who doesn't. And if they say they don't, they are most likely not taking into account all the things they receive on a daily basis. Such as the oxygen that they are breathing right now, the day that you are living, the family you have right now, the clothes that you are wearing, the body that you have... Shall I go on? We've received every one of these things and way more. God has blessed every single person alive. If you are living, then you have received a gift that many no longer possess. Think about everything that you have received from God that I have not already mentioned here. Can we possibly pay Him back? I don't think so. Ever. And add the fact that He gave his son to die for your sins on top of that, and you will NEVER be able to pay him back.

But even with all of these gifts that he has given to you, he makes a promise in Luke that the way we give to others is the way He will give to us. Just knowing that God does not owe you anything because he is your maker, and we are here to serve Him, and him still blessing us with so much, that alone should put a fire in us to give more to people than we want for ourselves.

We should not look at this verse with a greedy eye. When we give with the wrong kind of heart, the Lord cannot bless us and give back. It becomes fake and useless to the kingdom of god, and he will not accept that kind of giving. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, You must each decide in your heart how much to give. So don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure, for God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 


"But I have a hard time giving to others. How do I overcome that?"

If that is you, then you have to overcome your selfishness. It's just that blunt. You have just been reminded of how the creator of the heavens and the earth, who created you and gives you life laid down his life to save yours, and you still have to find a way to give to others? Some people do have a hard time, but it's when you start to realize that it is selfish pride to keep from others what the Lord has blessed you with, that is when you start being able to overcome. Ask the Lord for help in this area. The Lord loves it when his kids come to him for help. We can't do this on our own. We have to have a heart from God to be able to actually be a Relentless giver. We need God's love in our lives. So ask for it daily. With authority claim the love that you need for people. Go out of your way to try to give once, then do it again. And again. Go the extra mile. I promise you that you will not regret giving up yourself selflessly. You may not see the benefits here right now, but look to the promise that God has given, and look forward to your reward in heaven.

I'm praying for each one of my readers. May God work in your hearts even more than he already has.

~Whatsoever Things Are True
Philippians 4:8