Saturday June 17th, 2023
« The Scriptures say, “Those who gathered too much, had nothing left. Those who gathered only a little had all they needed”»
9 You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as He was, He gave it all away for us – in one stroke, He became poor and we became rich.
10 So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale.
11 Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it.
12 Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands.
13 This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way,
14 your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even.
15 As it is written, ‘Nothing left over to the one with the most, Nothing lacking to the one with the least’.
Understand
Giving has always been a debated topic in Christendom.
Nevertheless, irrespective of how controversial it has become today, it is still part of God’s mandate to us as Christians.
Several passages of the Bible clearly instruct us to give, and several more tell us how rewarding it is.
However, like many of God’s promises, there are principles to follow in order to reap its benefits.
The Holy Spirit wants us to consider some of these principles today so that we can begin to reap the full benefits of giving.
– The first principle of giving that you need to understand is that you must give your life to God first before giving Him a gift.
God is not interested in your gift if you are not one of His children.
Speaking on this, the Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 15:8a CEV :
« The LORD is disgusted by gifts from the wicked »
– Secondly, God expects us to give for the right reasons.
The Lord said in Matthew 6:1 CEV:
« When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. »
Most times when we give, we give to be admired by men.
As Christians, we have to carefully consider our motive before we give.
If you check and find out that the reason you want to give is to be seen as rich or zealous by other people, then it is better to keep your offering to yourself, because God will not acknowledge such giving.
– The third principle to consider is based on 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 MSG, which says:
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as they had decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
As important as it is to give bountifully, it is also pertinent that you give cheerfully.
Whatever you give, do it with a cheerful heart and good disposition.
Beloved, in order not to lose your reward, ensure that your every act of giving is consciously done to satisfy all the principles required.
May God honor you and your gifts from today in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer point: Father, please make me a wise and cheerful giver.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it .
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