Ahh Christmas…what a wonderful time of year! Even people who
do not normally reach out by giving and helping others throughout the year do
so at Christmas. My encouragement is
to continue the giving of self to others as a lifestyle. It takes reminders and
changing the way we think, but once we get into gear, we cannot be stopped.
The Bible is full of examples and exhortations to give. Of
course, we can begin with the greatest example of all by knowing what God the
Father did for us in Christ Jesus. John 3:16 is the perfect scripture and most
familiar….. “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God expressed
His love to us by giving His most priceless gift.
The question needs to be asked….How do we express our love
to others? In what way do we reveal it to those we are most familiar with? Do
we reach out to strangers? Do people see or experience God’s love when they
come in contact with us? God revealed His love to us. Are we revealing God’s love
to others?
The way we can communicate God’s love is by following His
example through giving. The more we give the more we want to.
In Proverbs 31 we find a woman who was a giver. Verse 20
states, “ She extends her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches out her hands to
the needy.” I believe we put God and ourselves in a box by only thinking in terms
of physical needs and a lack of finances. Although it is true that we need to
reach out to those who need physically and financially, people also have great
needs emotionally and spiritually. Our giving should be in all areas of life
and to all people. That is why giving has to become a lifestyle.
Begin to ask yourself….Who have I given to today? How have I
given today? In what way have I reached out to others? Another verse that has
spurred me on to be more of a giver is 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 in the Amplified
Bible.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and
grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously
[ that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with
blessings.
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind
and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion,
for God loves (He takes pleasure
in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a
cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
And God is able to make all grace (every favor and
earthly blessing) come to you in
abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the
need be self-sufficient
[possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for
every good work and charitable donation].
As it is written, He [the benevolent person]
scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and
kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and
bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and
increase the fruits of your righteousness [ which manifests itself in active
goodness, kindness, and charity].
Thus you will be enriched in all things and in
every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is]
administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.
Verse 6 reminds me to be a generous sower. When I compare
myself to the Lord, I realize I have a long way to go. I believe the more I
meditate on verse 7, the more generous I will become. My desire is for the purpose
of my heart to be a cheerful, joyous, “prompt to do it” giver whose heart is in
her giving. Our spiritual DNA gives us the ability to become this. We have to
work it out and be doers of what has been implanted in us.
The benefits of being a giver are truly amazing, but for me
I rarely focus on what God will do for me because I give. My aspiration is to have
more so I can be “self-sufficient, furnished with enough to give to every good
work and charitable donation”. To me….that is the height of fun…..
Verse 10 says that as we scatter abroad, this increases our
resources for sowing. As we sow, it “manifests itself in active goodness, kindness
and charity”. We can do more for
others and the people we give to will become thankful to God.
The world needs to see Christians as generous; that
Christians have the resources to do things for others; that the world does not
go to the government for help, but Christians will have more than enough to
supply to those in need. Always keep in mind that people have needs
spiritually, physically and emotionally. As we give in all areas of life, we
are able to help others and God supplies for us. Let giving be a lifestyle for you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!