Giving

The truth is, we’re all beggars in desperate need of Jesus. God didn’t ignore us or withhold what we need most. He showed compassion and gave His beloved Son. So, how would Jesus respond to beggars? With compassion, mercy, and great love.

You want to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately. But you need more money to get and stay financially healthy and advance God’s kingdom among the broken. So you need a specific money goal.

The most unbelieved beatitude in the Bible is: “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). The giver happier than the getter? Surely some mistake?

Jesus, and the Bible itself, has a lot to say on the topic of generosity. But what is it that makes some people more generous, and how can we work in our own lives to be more giving?

Among the central themes of the Bible are money and stewardship.

Boxing Day connects to Christmas because it was the day of Christmas for many poor families. Most of them would receive a gift on the day after Christmas. It causes me to think about Luke 12:48b “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

You do not have to give expensive items or throw elaborate parties in order for your loved ones to feel loved.

Do you see how giving makes us more blessed than getting? We can get so much happiness when we see how God is glorified in our giving and when we see Him bless others through our giving.

It is, of course, good to be thankful once we are through the trial. But when we give thanks in the trial, we will receive the multiplied blessings of courage, strength, and peace beyond human understanding.

Worried you won’t have enough if you tithe? This honest conversation will challenge what you really trust: God or your bank account.

Is it really possible to, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus, as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages? It seems like God is asking too much of us, especially during times of great disappointments, tremendous losses, or unbearable heartaches. How to we begin to give thanks in everything?

God doesn’t require that we give up everything we have to love others well. But there are few things he has given us that he asks us to hold with open hands, ready to generously give a portion of in order for the people in our lives to get a taste of the sacrificial love of Jesus.

The most important thing you can do is to be an example to your children. How can we expect them to give freely if they don't see you giving?Just as we are to be Christ's example in every area of our lives, we can also be a good example through our giving. Although it takes faith to tithe, especially when money is tight, it demonstrates that God is a good God that provides for his children.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article called “Why it’s Important to Keep Tithing in Tough Economic Times” and, quite frankly, I was surprised by the many follow up comments from Christians who don’t believe that tithing is for today...