Giving

The Gift

December 12, 2020 by Bill Leave a Comment

It’s the Christmas season. During this time of year, we think a lot about gifts and gift giving. The Bible talks about the “Gifts of the Spirit” in five different locations which can be as many as 16 different gifts. We read that each one of us has at least one Spiritual gift, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10). So, you have a gift from the Spirit and if you don’t know what that gift is, you can take an online survey HERE to find out.

However, let’s look at some other gifts. During this time of year, we’re celebrating the Gift of Jesus. God gave us that Gift which is the ultimate Gift…if we receive it, accept it, and open it. Jesus also gave us the gift of forgiveness and salvation when he died on the cross but, again, we have to accept His gift. But, today, I’d like us to look at the gift of prayer and think about it.

The way we communicate here on earth has changed drastically over the years from voice, smoke signals, letters, telegraphs, homing pigeons, telephones and all the ways the Internet provides for us to “talk” today. But let’s think about prayer. Prayer is a gift from God to us. Before we were saved, the only contact we could have with God was the one cry of confession, repentance, asking for mercy and forgiveness. He had a plan for us before we were born but the line of communication was limited until we got saved. But now that we are saved, forgiven of our sins, adopted into God’s family and have access to many other blessings, including an eternal home, prayer is different. We now have the gift of God’s personal number that we can “call” anytime for any reason. That line of communication is available to us as children of God. What a gift! But let’s consider how we think of God. Do we think of Him as Almighty, All Powerful, Majestic, too important to be bothered with our petty concerns? How do we see God? If that’s the case, we won’t talk to Him unless it’s a critical need. But if we see Him as He wants us to, as our loving daddy, we won’t hesitate to talk to Him at any time about anything. And He wants that!

Be encouraged also that we have VIP access to the “secret place of the Most High”, (Psalm 91:1), the very Throne Room of God! We don’t have to make an appointment, wait outside the door to be given access but the door is always open to us and God is saying, “Come on in child, let’s talk.” “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). We are special! So, as we think about gifts this season, let’s remember the gift of prayer we have been given and use it daily, several times a day. The line is open, the door is open, and our loving Father is waiting to talk to us. Use the Gift.

Receiving

May 15, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given May 14, 2016

Imagine, if you will, this conversation with God:
Us: “Father, I know you love me and want to bless me as your child. Today, I ask you for more income.”
God: “Why do you want more income, so you can buy more stuff?”
Us: “Oh, I’m sorry Father; I was misguided by my flesh. Please increase my income so I can give more to help others.”
God: “Well, how about this: First, why don’t you give more, trust Me and then see what happens to your income?”
Us: “Oh, uh, that will be hard Father.”
God: “Try it and see.” “Trust me.”

Current research shows that between 5-25% of church attendees tithe. In my church, that would be about 15-75 people! ”Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Malachi 3: 10-12) And also, many “tithers” are only giving 2-3% of their income. God has made us some promises about giving. “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38). I know it’s hard and goes against our fleshly thinking but it’s a matter of this: Do we trust God at His word or do we keep His part of what He’s given us, (the 10%), and use for ourselves? I’ve heard this before: What if we looked back at what we gave last year and that figure was multiplied by 9 (90%) and that’s what we would receive this year? How would that be for you?

Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). We need to think about this and decide whether we’re committed to being a real Christ follower or just talking about it. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Where is your treasure?

Strange Packaging

December 7, 2014 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given December 6, 2014

I heard a story of a wealthy man whose son wanted a new car for his college graduation. On graduation day, the father gave his son a brightly wrapped package and when it was opened, the boy saw it was a bible. The son was mad because he didn’t get what he wanted in his package and stormed out never to speak to his father again. Years later the father died and when the son again saw the box on a shelf, he got the bible out and a key dropped from the pages. You know what was parked in the garage, covered with dust. What he wanted was in the box all the time but was strangely packaged. (See: http://inspire-others.com/graduation-gift)

God does that to us sometimes. We may be going through a hard time and have asked God for something only to get a package not wrapped like we wanted. We prayed for what we want, how we want it and when we want it. But it doesn’t seem to be in our package. Think of Joseph. God promised him a “gift” but in his package he found being in a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown in prison, and forgotten by two friends in prison. But he kept the faith and he finally got the promised gift; second in command in Egypt and saving the country and his family from starvation.

And what about Job? His “gift” came with him losing his health, wealth, and his children. He endured the blame and bad advice from his friends and his wife but did not turn on God. “Though He slay me, yet shall I serve Him.” (Job 13:15). God allowed all this bad packaging to happen to his servant Job but, in the end and because of his faith, his gift was revealed. “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (42:10). All except for his children because he would see them again in Heaven.

So, if you’ve received a gift package from God that is not what you asked for, thank Him and look deeper. “…how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). Keep your faith and trust in God through your trial, become stronger, and come out a winner!

Receive The Gift

December 24, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given December 23, 2011

It’s Christmas and most of us have received a various number of gifts and, hopefully, given some as well. Most of us agree this gift-giving thing has become somewhat distorted from the original concept. The Magi had heard about Jesus, came to His house, worshipped Him, and then gave Him gifts. (Matthew 2:11). Today, we are in His house…let’s give Him our gifts of worship.

But gold, frankincense and myrrh were not the only gifts given on that first Christmas; in fact there was a much better gift given. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). God gave US a gift, a free gift, and He wants ALL His creation to have it. Maybe you’ve never received this gift or maybe you got it some time back, used it for a while, but then put it up on the shelf in the closet.

The best gift ever was given on that Christmas day long ago. Today…take it and open it for the first time or go get it off the shelf. It will make the Father really happy!

What Are You Giving?

June 26, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given June 21, 2011

I heard the other day that, on the average, Christians give about 2.5% of their income to the church. It made me think what percentage of our income goes to other things in our lives. That would be interesting to know. Does it show what’s important to us or where our priorities are? I’ve heard it said that the best measure of our priorities is our checkbook. We all need to take a look at that and see where our heart is.

As Christians, we are required by God to give back a tenth of our income to Him, the first tenth too, (See Malachi 3:10 and Proverbs 3:9). God gives us our entire income and expects us to give 10% of it back to Him. Why doesn’t He just keep His part and give us the 90%? That way, we wouldn’t have to worry about it or keep up with it. But He gave us a free will and He wants us to be obedient to Him. Are we? The Bible says if we don’t give back the tithe, we are robbing God! (See Malachi 3:8). Not a good thing to do. What if on January 1, God checked the books and saw what you gave during the past year and multiplied that by 10 and that’s what your income would be for the coming year? Could you live on that?

God is not requiring the tithe to be a harsh taskmaster over us but He wants to bless us. The Bible says over and over if we will give, God will give back to us and we will be blessed. I remember something about, “pressed down, shaken together, and running over”. Now, we don’t give in order to get. That would be like paying for something. We give because we want to, because God asks us to, because He loves a cheerful giver, (2 Corinthians 9:7). But the tithe is not all, God gave us another way to be blessed…offerings. That’s giving over and above the tithe. The more we give, the more it pleases God, and He does good things to those who please Him and honor His commands. It’s not a chore or a duty, it’s something we want to do for the God who has done soooooooo much for us.

Worth repeating: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10). One last point, giving is not just money. There are many ways to give and God will provide you with opportunities every day if you’ll just look for them. And it doesn’t have to be a lot. Remember the boy who offered his lunch of some fish and bread to Jesus? (John 6:5-15). He took that little offering and fed thousands that day. Put what you are required to give and some offerings into the hands of God and see what He will do. What was your income this week?