June 6, 2024 MORE BLESSED
Acts 2:35 “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.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
There is no greater contrast to the old nature and the new nature than that that of giving. The old nature is all about acquiring whatever it thinks will satisfy. In fact, the culture aggressively promotes the idea of getting; just notice the advertising that is designed to convince us that we need whatever they are promoting. In fact, the economy is built on people buying goods and services. Do not get me wrong; I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to buy the things I need and I am thankful for the free enterprise market. ‘Things’ are not in and of themselves evil; the problem is when we see things as satisfying our deepest longings. Another problem is that when we are seeking things to bring us a sense of satisfaction, we limit our resources that could be used to bless others. Also, there is the issue of time; one may not be out to acquire things to satisfy but they may be seeking to find satisfaction in a hobby or some activity, thus not having time to invest and bless others. Again, I’m not against hobbies-just do not see them as what fulfills us. The awesome truth is that God is a giver and He loves seeing us being cheerful givers. God designed us and He knows what we need more than we know; we are wired to be givers; when we give we are blessed. What short-circuits our being givers is our yielding to our flesh, our old nature that is always focused on self and on getting. The liberating truth is that our deepest longings are satisfied when we give-not when we get. There are numerous ways to give; time, financially, acts of kindness, praying for someone, a note of encouragement, and etc. The point is; let us live according to our true design and look for ways to give. We do not need to be focused on acquiring. As we live as unto the Lord, He will provide all of our needs and more. Enjoy the blessings God has given, but let our heart be set on being a cheerful giver. It is great gain to live in simplicity with a view of blessing others just as God has blessed us.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Blessings, Buddy
Acts 2:35 “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.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
There is no greater contrast to the old nature and the new nature than that that of giving. The old nature is all about acquiring whatever it thinks will satisfy. In fact, the culture aggressively promotes the idea of getting; just notice the advertising that is designed to convince us that we need whatever they are promoting. In fact, the economy is built on people buying goods and services. Do not get me wrong; I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to buy the things I need and I am thankful for the free enterprise market. ‘Things’ are not in and of themselves evil; the problem is when we see things as satisfying our deepest longings. Another problem is that when we are seeking things to bring us a sense of satisfaction, we limit our resources that could be used to bless others. Also, there is the issue of time; one may not be out to acquire things to satisfy but they may be seeking to find satisfaction in a hobby or some activity, thus not having time to invest and bless others. Again, I’m not against hobbies-just do not see them as what fulfills us. The awesome truth is that God is a giver and He loves seeing us being cheerful givers. God designed us and He knows what we need more than we know; we are wired to be givers; when we give we are blessed. What short-circuits our being givers is our yielding to our flesh, our old nature that is always focused on self and on getting. The liberating truth is that our deepest longings are satisfied when we give-not when we get. There are numerous ways to give; time, financially, acts of kindness, praying for someone, a note of encouragement, and etc. The point is; let us live according to our true design and look for ways to give. We do not need to be focused on acquiring. As we live as unto the Lord, He will provide all of our needs and more. Enjoy the blessings God has given, but let our heart be set on being a cheerful giver. It is great gain to live in simplicity with a view of blessing others just as God has blessed us.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Blessings, Buddy
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