The Benefits and a Warning
Today, we wrap up this series on Giving. Perhaps we may add to it in the future…as the Lord leads. This has been such a journey of learning for me. I had grown cold and weary in my giving and I am grateful to the Holy Spirit, who by His teachings, has reawakened the joy of giving. So to close this chapter, it is only right that we look at the benefits and a warning concerning giving.
The Benefits
1. Your needs shall be met
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.
Proverbs 11:24
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
The above mirror is one of the most quoted verses. But what instigated Paul to make that proclamation?
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica,you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Philippians 4:15-18
The generosity of the Philippians led Paul to assure them that God Himself would meet their needs.
2. Prosperity
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11
Prosperity means different things to all people. I do not believe there is a benchmark of what prosperity looks like. I believe that when you are generous, out of love not manipulation, you tap into the very core of Him, in whose image you were created and this is the assurance that you have:
Love never fails…
1 Corinthians 13:8
3. Your giving adds to you
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
This verse is often associated with offerings. But Jesus spoke it in reference to the love and judgements we make on others. This shows that giving goes beyond our money and possessions. If you are generous in love, love will abound to you.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
4. Lay up treasure in heaven
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:18-19
The rewards of giving are not limited to the present age, but extend to eternity.
5. God rewards you
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:3-4
It is so important to understand that it is God and not man who rewards you.
The Warning
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
This is a statement God made about Himself. He looks at our hearts, He considers our motivations.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
Acts 8:14-24
Do not attempt to buy the gifts of God with your giving. The gifts of God are freely given!
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Matthew 10:8
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11
Your Turn
The benefits of giving are well preached and well documented. But dont give because of them, but in spite of them. Give because you love not because of what you will gain. And above all, do not give to buy the gifts of the Lord. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you His gifts!