“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts of the Apostles 20:35 NLT.
What comes to your mind when we mention giving? Cambridge dictionary defines giving as the act of providing money or in-kind for something, especially to a charity or other good cause.
Giving is one of the fundamental principles Elohim God has set in place on earth just like sowing and reaping; night and day; sun for the day and moon for the night. The blessing of giving applies to believers and unbelievers. No one should be compelled/guilt-tripped/blackmailed into giving with a wrong heart.
There is the world view and the kingdom of God view about giving and receiving. The world view is to give and receive something back, there is always an intention. The kingdom view is from love, not intending to receive something back.
We can reflect on giving from two perspectives: Giving to God and giving to others
Giving to others
The world sees giving as an altruistic act. Altruism is the principle and moral practice of concern for the happiness of others, the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.
Giving to Elohim is an act of love. Giving comes before receiving. Elohim gave us a standard for giving. He gave first, John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son and Roman 5:8 But God showed His love to us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Whether we are giving to God or our fellow human beings, giving comes before receiving and from a heart of love. We can learn some principles about giving from the word of Elohim.
1. Giving an act of thanksgiving from the heart
Abraham was a man after God’s heart. His life is an example of practical Christianity.
When his nephew, Lot, and his possessions were taken captive, Abram mustered 319 of his men to pursue the captors. There was a battle. He won. God defeated Abram’s enemies. Melchizedek brought Abram bread and wine and blessed Abram, who then gave him a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. Abram did not keep anything for himself. The principle here is a heart of giving not law. A heart of giving and thanksgiving inside out.
2. Giving an act of worship
As a son of God where you are in your relationship with him will determine your approach to giving as worship.
After Elohim God appeared to Jacob in the place he called Bethel, he was so moved that he made a vow that God will be his God and he will give a tenth of everything God gives him. This story is in Genesis 28:10-22
3. Giving as an act to ignite or provoke blessing from Elohim
We read the act of giving by king Solomon that moved Elohim God to give him a blanket cheque. 1 King 3:4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
4. Giving as obedience to the law - Old Testament covenant
An offering is a type of giving and very important to God. God commanded five Levitical offerings. Some of these offerings are no longer applicable because Yeshua Jesus took the place of the offering.
Burnt offering as an atonement for sins, a male lamb without blemish, completely burnt, none must be eaten. Leviticus chapter 6. Jesus Christ our perfect offering, in atonement for our sins. No more animal sacrifice is needed.
Peace Offering is a meal shared with the Lord, the priest, and those in need. It is also given for vows/promises/dedication of one’s life. Genesis 31:43
Meal / Grain Offering as a memorial portion on the altar, the remaining is eaten by the Priest. This is meant to be subsistence for the priests/ those in full-time ministry. Leviticus chapter 2
Sin offering as atonement for unintentional sin. There must be an act to acknowledge and evidence action. Leviticus 4:1-4. As believers, we are encouraged to confess our sins and God is faithful to forgive.
Trespass offering is similar to sin offering but there is physical restitution. Leviticus 6:5-7
Tithe as another type of giving, to take care of the Levites who were meant to be working 100% in the temple and not in the secular world, to help foreigners because the Israelites were foreigners in Egypt and to look after the widows
5. Giving is grace - new covenant in Christ. 2 Cor 8
“Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving….Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.” 2 Corinthians 8:7, 13-15 NLT
No saint in the church should lack. Giving is from love. Giving is a grace to excel in. Giving comes from the heart willingly and cheerfully “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” II Corinthians 8:12 NKJV
How to give
Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Unfortunately, the evil heart of man has contaminated the act of giving – personal gain, to dupe, to steal. Plan to give so that it does not become a burden e.g. plan to live on a % of your income so that you can give more. Don’t make a showcase of it, do it privately, don’t make a celebration of it (Matthew 6:1, 3, 4).
Summary
Not giving is not keying into the principles of sowing and reaping that God has put in place since the foundation of the earth. Giving is not a law unto bondage but a right heart unto the Lord. Giving will not make you righteous with God, only faith in Christ and a heart of belief do that. However, the heart of Christ is a heart of giving. If you are not a giver, your heart has not yet been transformed by the love of Christ. Don’t stop anyone who wants to give to you, because you might be denying them their blessing as ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’’ Acts of the Apostles 20:35 NLT.
Maybe we have been giving from a wrong motive. Maybe we want to be a giver more than we are doing now. Maybe we want to start, giving is by grace not by law. We are not made right with God by law but by grace. We are made right with Elohim through faith in His Son, Yeshua Christ Jesus. This righteousness is by grace – the gift of Elohim. To abound in this grace of giving, we need to have faith in the giver of grace – Jesus.
Have you given your life to Jesus? Great, abound in the grace of giving.
Are you yet to give your life? It’s not too late. Elohim has preserved your life even up to this moment. It’s simple to step into grace. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Acknowledge: you have sinned and come short of the glory of God
Repent: of your sins and be determined to turn away from them
Confess: and declare Jesus as the Son of God, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead
Accept him as your Lord and Saviour
Declare openly your faith and become a new creature in Christ, old things have passed away
Follow: Jesus in all areas of your life
If you accept Jesus or turned back to him through this blog, please get in touch. I am so excited! You give me hope and joy. You are my proud reward and crown when I stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns. Yes, you are our pride and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT)
Inbox me, email me, just get in touch. I want to join you in prayers every day
My email is info@adeolaakintoye.com
PrayerfortheWeek
Almighty Father, thank you for the gift of my life. Thank you for the gift of my salvation. Give me the grace to abound in giving. Help me to be a generous and cheerful giver. May You generously provide all I need, always having everything I need, and plenty left over. In the name of Yeshua, I pray. Amen,
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