All For Giving

Most of the time I dread giving and, to be honest, I'm scared of giving. Selfishness and the fear of not having enough force my hands shut. That's a scary place to be in. 

When we withhold good from others, we risk growing deaf to the cries of the needy and numb toward the heart of the weak. 

Constantly closing our hands creates a callous on our hearts so we cannot feel the nudge of compassion. 

So, how can we be all for giving and not against it? The best way to cultivate a generous heart is to draw near to God's generous heart. 

When we look to the open-handedness of God and His Son, Jesus, we are motivated to cheerfully and unsparingly give to others. 


We can be all for giving because Jesus is all for us, and we are all for God's glory. 

Jesus is all for us

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work...You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way. 2 Corinthians 9:9,11

Jesus already purchased for us (with his own body) the greatest gift of all, salvation from death and sin, friendship and eternity with God. So, in Christ, we already have everything we need. This promise frees us to give abundantly. 

The root sin behind selfishness, like most sins, is unbelief. When we withhold good from others, we do not trust that God will keep His promise to meet our own needs 
(Phil 4:19). The Lord will replenish the cheerful giver, whether in this present time on earth or in our future eternity in heaven (2 Cor. 9:10). 

No matter how much "stuff" we have, as sons and daughters of the Provider, we can always cheerfully and fearlessly give out of a place of plenty. 

God gets glory 

For the ministry of this service (generosity) is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. They will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13

Giving multiplies thanksgiving to God. We are the open hands of Jesus. When we give to others, we follow Christ's example by reflecting the Father's generosity to a needy world. The result? God is glorified! 

Generosity is a tangible picture of the gospel. It not only helps peoples' physical needs but, more importantly, it causes others to give thanks to God. 

When we recall to mind just how much God has given to us, we can't help but give what we have to others so they, too, can give thanks to God. 

***

In a society that promotes "self-care" and "self-empowerment", selfishness is a difficult truth to admit. How we spend our time, money, and resources reveals where our heart is. If we primarily seek to meet our own needs, we love ourselves more than others. 

However, when we do choose to give as God has given to us, God will bless our giving. He will increase our joy, thanksgiving, and heavenly reward. 

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 

The Girl ☎︎ Next Door