Verse: "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving -- large or small -- it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38 NLT
Matthew 10:8 also says, '...Give as freely as you have received!'(NLT) or 'You have been treated generously, so live generously' (Message) --and as Christians or followers of Christ we need to exhibit the art of stewardship and giving. (Not just in finances either!)
When you say 'giving' to anyone... the first thing they think of has to do with money, or finances. But God is also calling us to be good stewards of our giftings & talents, and of our time -- not just with our finances. But obviously our giving financially is giving us great blessings in return as well. We are to be 'cheerful' givers, not just giving because we have to, or because we are told to -- we should be seeking to give from the depths of our heart. Giving should be a natural response when we hear about situations or circumstances that others are going through. We may not all have the $100 bills in our pockets to donate, but even $5 is $5 more than the person had. (Even a loonie or a toonie given in faith can and will be blessed in return.)
We may not all be prophets, evangelists, missionaries, teachers and/or preachers, but each of us has the ability inside to do parts of all those ministries. Only a small percentage of people in the church body as a unit (your own church), or even the universal church body as a whole (world) are actually moving and flowing in their giftings. Some things can be taught, but other things must be caught. We need to be living by example, sharing the gospel and our testimony of how God has moved in our lives through the simple act of giving. If there is an 'easy' way to receive something, people want to take hold. (If you are Canadian) Think of 'Roll up the Rim to Win' promotions at Tim Horton's -- obviously Tim Horton's is using it so that more people will buy their 'hot drinks' than usual, as they have a chance of winning great prizes. They are spending close to $2 for one drink (which will soon be gone -perishable), to TRY TO WIN a grand prize. Most of the cups say 'Please play again' (which of course is a temptation to continue to buy more.) Some 'few' have actually won some of the prizes ranging from a donut or a coffee, to Tim Horton's Gift Cards, all the way to bigger prizes like BBQ's, TV's or even cars (which are still in a sense perishable). Now most people (even Christians who go to Timmy's after service or even on the way to service) get excited for Spring, and the 'Roll Up the Rim' contest == but why can't we be as excited for the 'grand prizes' from God?? A small cost (actually it is small in comparison to the benefits) of using our time, talents or finances can reward us with great non-perishable benefits from the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS. He calls us to 'please play again', but sometimes we allow ourselves to settle into frustration or a rut of unanswered prayers, or unseen blessings and we think 'what's the point?'... But unfortunately our physical body can keep going out for another 'cup' time and time again with even just a hint of a chance to win a perishable prize at Timmy's. God wants to bless us... He wants to give to us time and time again, but we just don't receive the blessings for showing up -- we actually need to sacrifice something, or it needs to cost us something, so that we may receive the FULL benefits of the Father.
*Please don't think I am putting down Tim Horton's in any way, it was just a prime example of the thoughts & frivolous contests of the world today. I like Tim Horton's and participated in the Roll Up the Rim contest - not for the sole purpose of trying to win, but because that's where we went for coffee (or tea for me, as I don't like coffee), or parents gifted us with coffee/hot chocolate at work. I'm told that McDonald's coffee is much better anyway, and there you can get a coffee & a muffin for $1.39 (plus tax) -- way better deal!!*
So step out today, and start 'giving freely', so that you can 'receive freely' as well... but the point of us receiving, is so that we may freely give & receive again and again!
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
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