ANYTHING TO GIVE!

1. Anything To Give!

a) The Bible in Acts 20:35 states that “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive” which teaches that there is joy in the act of giving when it is done with pure motives.

b) It’s that time of year again – everyone loves it, Christmas! Can you imagine what it would be like without giving being such a major part of it during such time?  

c) We have the opportunity to let the gifts we purchase be an obligatory purchase or we can choose to give a gift cheerfully.

d) Paul said, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

e) The attitude behind it really matters. There is a huge difference between buying stuff that you feel (or are) obligated to, and intentionally (and cheerfully) giving something to another person. 

f) So if you need a little boost to your giving attitude this year, do a little meditating on the scriptures below.  

Deuteronomy 15:10

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 16:17

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Proverbs 3:27

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Proverbs 11:24-25

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 28:27

He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Matthew 6:3-4

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Luke 6:30

Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

g) If you have been inspired by these Bible verses, dig in further and explore what you can do even with the little that you have! It may make a great difference to the ones you have blessed!

h) And may this coming Christmas bring you joy unspeakable!