2021-10-03
2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
We each give for different reasons. 1) Some people give out of guilt. They give to God’s work because they would feel bad if they didn’t.
2) Some people give out of greed. They give only to get. They stand on Scriptures such as: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you’ (Luke 6:38 NIV). The problem with this kind of thinking is that it’s ‘me-centred’, rather than ‘us-centred’.
3) Some people give to get glory. Jesus said, ‘Be careful not to practise your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them, If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 6:1 NIVUK). God is not just interested in what we give, but in why we give. He looks beyond the amount we give, and examines the motive behind it. If we give to God out of greed, guilt, or glory, we’re giving from the wrong motives and reasons. Jesus said: ‘When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly’ (vv. 3-4 NKJV).
4) Some people give out of gratitude. These are the people who ask, ‘What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me?’ (Psalm 116:12 NIV), and they give out of gratitude. That’s the kind of giver we should try to be.
Gen 1:1-2:3; John 1:1-18
2021-10-02
Romans 12:8 NCV
The Bible says: ‘We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us…Whoever has the gift of giving to others should give freely’ (v.6-8 NCV). Every believer receives grace for giving, but some of us have the gift of giving. Some people also have a gift of making money. They know how to make wise investments and recognise a good deal. When they need to buy something, they seem to be able to hit on a special offer for the thing they want. They know how to get the best return on their investments. And if we find we’re one of these people, it’s important for us to realise that our ability to gather wealth is actually a gift from God.
In Deuteronomy 8 we read: ‘You might say to yourself, “I am rich because of my own power and strength,” but remember the LORD your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich’ (v.17-18 NCV). If we find we have plenty, we mustn’t let it lead us into pride. Success and wealth don’t come through our own skills and abilities. They come from God, and He expects us to bless others with the resources He’s entrusted to us. God told Abraham, ‘I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing’ (Genesis 12:2 NKJV). That means when God taps us on the shoulder and instructs us to be generous with what we have, we shouldn’t argue with Him. All of our resources and money actually belong to God, so we shouldn’t be afraid of being generous when He prompts us.
1 Sam 20:30-23:29; Luke 24:25-35; Ps 60; Prov 22:7-11
2021-10-01
2 Corinthians 8:7 NCV
Paul wrote, ‘You are rich in everything – in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving.’ God hasn’t called us to be reservoirs that store up all His blessings for ourselves, but rivers that carry His blessing to others. Many people have learned how to get, but not how to give. If we get into a posture of being ‘getting’ Christians without being ‘giving’ Christians as well, our faith lives will wither and die.
There are two seas that are fed by the Jordan River. One sea is fresh and brimming with life. There are fish living in it, splashes of green adorn its banks, and trees spread their branches over it, stretching out their thirsty roots to sip of its nourishing waters. But the other sea has no life at all. No fish can live in it. No one can drink from it because the water is foul and putrid. But both are fed by the Jordan River.
What’s the difference? The Sea of Galilee receives water from the Jordan, but it also gives. For every drop that flows into it, another drop flows out. But the other sea hoards its water. Every drop it gets, it keeps. The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. The other sea gets and keeps, and it’s called the Dead Sea. When we hoard and keep our blessings to ourselves, we die spiritually. But when we give generously and keep our blessings moving on to bless others, we come to life spiritually.
1 Sam 18:1-20:29; Luke 24:13-24; Ps 68:19-35; Prov 22:6
2021-09-30
1 Corinthians 10:33 NCV
The Bible says: ‘In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God’ (2 Timothy 3:1-4 NLT).
This entire passage is a good definition of selfishness and what can come from it when we let a selfish attitude guide our lives. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, there are probably things in there that we’ve done on occasion. Being completely unselfish is difficult, but that doesn’t excuse us from trying to reach it.
Here are some steps to help: 1) ‘Continue following the teachings you learned’ (v.14 NCV). We should try to keep focused on God by spending time with Him every day and regularly read His Word. As we grow our relationship with Him, we’ll be more sensitive to His guidance, and more aware of His gentle correction if we stray towards selfishness.
2) When we have enough to meet our own needs, we should be willing to say yes to God when He asks us to meet someone else’s need. Paul wrote: ‘I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved.’ Our generosity can point people towards God’s love, as well as blessing them in that moment.
3) Find a mentor. They can help us identify when we’re slipping towards selfishness and support us in getting back on God’s path.
1 Sam 16-17; Luke 24:1-12; Ps 68:1-18; Prov 22:1-5
2021-09-29
Proverbs 19:17 NCV
Here are four ways in which we can express kindness and generosity towards others. 1) Giving our time. Giving a few hours of our time to someone, especially if we’re usually busy, can mean the world to a person who’s hurting.
2) Giving our skills. There are so many organisations and charities that can use our skills in their efforts to help others. We can also use them to help a friend or someone in our community. Are you good at cooking? Why not prepare a meal or bake a cake for someone who’s lonely. Can you handle a paintbrush? You could offer to paint a garden fence for someone who’s experiencing health problems at the moment. There are countless ways we can use our skills to bless others.
3) Giving your treasure. The Bible says: ‘Being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD; he will reward you for what you have done.’ That doesn’t mean we should give because we’ll get something in return, but when we’re giving with the right motives, we shouldn’t be afraid of being generous, because God will honour our compassion.
4) Giving your temperament. Everyone we meet is struggling with something and fighting battles they usually don’t talk about. So a smile and a word of encouragement can be like a lifeline that helps keep them afloat that day.
We need to decide, ‘I will not let this day end until I have said or done something to help, bless, and encourage another person.’ Today pray: ‘Father, thank You for every resource and advantage You’ve given me. Help me to always remember that these blessings are from You, and that they should be shared with others for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
1 Sam 14-15; Luke 23:44-56; Ps 91; Prov 21:28-31
2021-09-28
1 John 3:17 NLT
The Bible says: ‘If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person?’ It’s a hard-hitting reminder for all of us, and we’ve probably all fallen short somewhere in our thinking of the needs of others and helping to meet those needs.
Selflessness doesn’t mean that God is asking us to help others to the point where we neglect and sacrifice our own health and mental wellbeing. This can end up leading to resentment. He also doesn’t expect us to meet every single need that comes our way. But He is challenging the ‘what’s in it for me?’ attitude that we can fall into.
Selfishness is a stronghold that must be broken down in order to experience true peace and joy, the sort that gives life meaning. James wrote: ‘My brothers and sisters, if people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. Can faith like that save them? A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. If you say to that person “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. In the same way, faith by itself – that does nothing – is dead.’ (James 2:15-17 NCV).
God loves us so much, but it’s a love that we should also be willing to pour out onto others by being sensitive to their needs and meeting them where we can.
1 Sam 11-13; Luke 23:35-43; Ps 13; Prov 21:22-27
