Do you consider yourself to be a generous person? Is it hard when someone borrows something from you? Do you keep track?
Sometimes being generous doesn’t just COME naturally. We have to be constantly reminded to be generous. Romans 8:32 (TPT) says, “For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.”
You’ve heard the saying, “It’s much better to give than to receive,” but honestly, this really doesn’t make much sense, when we just look at it from a normal perspective, BUT this is a truth that God has promised us!
It’s amazing HOW many examples there are in the Bible, when a person was asked to give what little they had and the rewards that they reaped from that great sacrifice.
Just a couple:
John 6:5 - 9 (NKJV): Jesus feeding thousands of people with the little boy’s small lunch.
John 3:16 - 17 (TPT): God sacrificing His Son for all of mankind.
Remember!!! We don’t do these things to gain God’s approval because He already approves!
So, you might be thinking, “What does my little part play and why does it matter?” We usually don’t and may NEVER see everything that we do for others and how it can help change their lives. When we give of ourselves - financially, physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. - it’s showing the world how good God is. WE are the light and the model of His kindness.
Acts 20:35 (TPT) says is perfectly. “I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak. For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’”
-Pastor