December 4, 2020 FREELY WE HAVE RECEIVED
Matthew 5:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each of you just as he purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Acts 20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Proverbs 11:24-25 “There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.”
The nature of the man or woman who does not know God is focused on getting. The one who knows and trust God has been given a new nature that is focused on giving. However, not all believers are not givers in the truest sense; they may give out of a sense of duty or obligation. Only when a believer discovers his or her new identity-that they have been made new with a new heart, new spirit, and a new mind-do they become joyful givers. God is THE giver; He demonstrated giving when He gave His Son that we might be redeemed. Now, because God freely gave, we can freely give-what a blessing. Because of this new nature at work in us, we find joy and fulfillment when we give with no strings attached. The basis for the God-kind of giving is based on love. Some may give, but with wrong motives; one may give simply because they believe that is what they are supposed to do, or give to get recognition form others, or give to get God’s approval. God is an extravagant giver and He does indeed love a cheerful giver. Simply put, because our Father is a giver, we also give. Giving should not be something we do on occasion, but the very core of our being should be that of being a giver; having a giving nature becomes obvious to all. There are countless ways to give; we can give of our time, speak an encouraging word, help someone in need, pray for someone, visit, give financially-the list goes on. The Holy Spirit will tell us when and how we are to give-but look for opportunities to give. Scriptures instructs us not to give grudgingly, but to give bountifully. Let us welcome and embrace the encouragement from God to be givers at heart. The closing verse is an awesome promise from God that insures that we can spend the rest of our days giving with no fear of having lack.
2 Corinthians 9:10 “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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