Tags
1 Corinthians 13:3, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Colossians 3:5-7, Ephesians 4:38, Generosity, Giving, Giving Or Taking?, Greed, Inspiring Others, Love, Luke 6:38
Bible Ballistics: BBs #586 A Giver Or A Taker???
We live in a culture of “gimme’, gimme’, gimme’! It seems that almost everyone wants ‘something for nothing’; everyone wants all they can get for as little as they can do. As my husband is often heard to say about this mind set, “Get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can!” But as followers of Jesus, we’ve been called to a higher standard! I’d like to simply share a few thoughts with you today to remind us of the biblical perspective of ‘stuff’.
“Give,
and it shall be given unto you;
good measure,
pressed down,
and shaken together,
and running over,
shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete
withal it shall be measured
to you again.” Luke 6:38
Jesus said our giving is to be at the least, abundant; but some today teach that we are to give in order to ‘get’ these blessings that Jesus described. I don’t think so. We are to give because Jesus gave HIS all for us. Paul talks about this in his letter to the Ephesians.
“Let him that stole
steal no more:
but rather let him labour,
working with his hands
the thing which is good,
that he may have
to give
to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:38
Paul calls believers to work with their hands (or their minds) to earn a living that they may be able to share with those in need, not to ‘get more’ from God or others, but to be a blessing to those in need. Paul covers that most profoundly in his comments on love—he seems to say that if we “give to get” we are not acting in love but greed, and that nullifies our efforts! You decide (and you might want to take some time and read this whole chapter!).
“And though I bestow all my goods
to feed the poor,
and though I give my body
to be burned,
and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3
Paul also has more to say about the attitude of givers and reminds us that it’s not the amount we give, but the heart with which we give. And takers—well they’re ‘taken’ care of themselves! (pun intended)
“But this I say,
He which soweth sparingly
shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth
in his heart,
so let him give;
not grudgingly,
or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound
toward you;
that ye, always
having all sufficiency
in all things,
may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written,
He hath dispersed abroad;
he hath given to the poor:
his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower
both minister bread for your food,
and multiply your seed sown,
and increase the fruits
of your righteousness;)”. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
And here’s the message for ‘takers’!
“Mortify therefore your members
which are upon the earth;
fornication,
uncleanness,
inordinate affection,
evil concupiscence,
and covetousness,
which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake
the wrath of God
cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked
some time,
when ye lived in them.” Colossians 3:5-7
Let’s measure our giving and taking by God’s standard! Have a blessed day of giving as we purpose “in our heart”, to please our Father as we bless and minister to those He places in our path!
Amen and Amen!