From His Heart - Week of May 23
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF GIVING
"Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
When I was a kid, my sisters and I loved Sunday night TV. On Sunday night, a special kid-friendly show was aired - "The Wonderful World of Disney." We knew we were in for a treat when we heard that show's magical intro. The world of Walt Disney was indeed wonderful.
In the Christian life, there is a very wonderful world that far too few Christians ever discover. It is a world that is filled with blessings and abundance from the Lord. It is a world where its inhabitants experience great joy and fulfillment. It is the wonderful world of generous, cheerful giving.
Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Do you believe that statement? Is He telling the truth? Of course He is! So, if you want to be "more blessed," then take your greed, selfishness, and materialism to the cross and nail them there ... and enter into the wonderful world of giving.
WHAT'S SO WONDERFUL ABOUT GIVING?
1. When you enter into the wonderful world of giving, you keep the love of money at bay. The love of money is an insidious predator that stalks us all. It can capture our hearts without us even realizing it. And when the love of money gets its hooks in you, it brings with it all sorts of evil. Generous giving repels the love of money. It reminds us that God is the Master, and money is merely the servant.
2. When you enter into the wonderful world of giving, you touch the heart of God. "God loves a cheerful giver." How cool is that!? Now, I don’t believe that means He loves givers more than non-givers, for God loves us all with an everlasting love. But, it does mean that God loves it when we willingly, cheerfully, and generously give to the work of the kingdom. Giving makes God's heart race with joy and excitement. When we give with right motives (for the glory of God and not the glory of self), we bring a smile to His face.
3. When you enter into the wonderful world of giving, you reap the blessings of God. Make no mistake, God is a generous giver. When we give generously, He notices it ... and He gives back to us in spades. Christian philanthropist, R. G. Letourneau, was prolific in his giving. He made millions of dollars in his lifetime, and he gladly chose to give away 90% and live on 10%. He was a reverse tither. Through his generous giving, he learned this valuable lesson: You cannot out-give God. Letourneau said, "I shovel it out, and God shovels it in. And God has a bigger shovel." So true!
The Lord says, "He who sows sparingly (stingily) shall also reap sparingly (stingily); and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6). If you want to reap bountifully from the Lord, start sowing bountifully in His field. Quit with the stingy, chintzy giving, and start bringing your biggest and your best to the Lord. I promise you, you won't be sorry.
Missionary Jim Elliot, who willingly gave his life trying to reach the Auca Indians in Ecuador, is famous for these immortal words: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Remember, you can’t take it with you … but you can send it on ahead as you give to the Lord and His work.
So, what do you say? Would you like to touch the heart of God and be "more blessed"? The world of giving is indeed wonderful ... and there is plenty of room for you.
Pastor Jeff Schreve
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. Discover that you are not alone in prayer. Allow many people to join you in prayer. Go to www.fromhisheart.org/prayer.
Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries, www.fromhisheart.org, in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit ministry as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
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