ACT OF GIVING 2 Chapter One: Who Should Give?

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"Give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will men give into your bosom. For the same measure, you give will be the measure you get back." - Luke 6:38

Every man is commanded by G.o.d to give. G.o.d gave us an example when He gave his only begotten Son to redeem men from their sins. We are made in the image and likeness of G.o.d, so we ought to have the attribute of G.o.d. If G.o.d gives, then we should give. Anywhere you go, see yourself as a giver because that is who you are. It is who you are that determines what you do and not the other way round. If you love G.o.d you will show love to people and giving is a way of showing love to people. Jesus said in Matt. 25:35-40,

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me'."

Should the rich give?

The rich are to give and help others who are in need. What is the essence of having lots of money and can't use it to bless or help people around you. The reason G.o.d blessed you is for you to be a blessing to people.

"As for the rich in the world, charge them not to be haughty, nor set their hopes on uncertain riches but on G.o.d who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed." - II Tim.6:17-19

The reason for your riches and wealth is to do good deeds, be generous and help people who are in need to get eternal rewards.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matt.6:19-21

Do not be overly concerned with material possessions, seeking to acquire more luxuries and possessions than doing the things that please G.o.d. Do not be money and material conscious but be heavenly conscious, glorifying G.o.d with your riches and wealth. The riches and wealth is only for this earth and will remain on this earth even after your death. You should invest and lay up your treasures in heaven which is eternal by helping the poor and needy, and doing the works of G.o.d.

Should the poor also give?

As long as you have what to give, you should give, because you can't give what you don't have. The poor can also give. Giving is a way of receiving G.o.d's blessing. If the poor can learn to give, G.o.d will surely bless them. Any time you see a need, see it as a privilege to give and be blessed.

The widow of Zarephath gave what she had to Prophet Elijah and was blessed. When G.o.d asks you to give, it is because he wants to give you something. He doesn't need anything from you, you have to let go what is in your hand so that your hand will be free to receive what G.o.d has for you and be blessed. Anyone who wants to be blessed should give.

"So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink." And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." And she said, "As the Lord your G.o.d lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a cruse; and now, I am gathering a couple of sticks, that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." And Elijah said to her, "Fear not; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord the G.o.d of Israel, 'The Jar of meal shall not be spent, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.'" And she went and did as Elijah said, and she, and he, and her household ate for many days." - I Kings 17:10–15

The widow only had enough oil and flour for one tiny meal, but she believed what Elijah told her and she made his meal first. If the widow hadn't given him that meal, then the Lord wouldn't have supernaturally multiplied the food, and the widow and her son would have died of starvation within days.

The step of faith she took by feeding G.o.d's prophet first, before taking care of herself resulted in a supply that supported her and her son for many days. Whether rich or poor, make sure you do G.o.d's will first with your money and resources. Remember to give G.o.d your best. The widow's contribution had a great effect because it was given out of her poverty.

"He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, "Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had." - Luke 21:1–4