Tuesday, April 19, 2005
IndyChristian.com -- Daily Internet Starting-line
IndyChristian.com -- Daily Internet Starting-line
The gift of giving
By
Becki Jenkins
President/Director
Missionary Connection
The lost art of giving for the sake of it has been lost. How can we get it back in a society that is stuck on me…me….me. As Christians we are taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive, so why is it hard for us to grasp Jesus words when he said, “ Sell all your goods, give it to the poor and follow me…” Again in Acts 2: 45 it speaks of the followers of Christ selling all and giving it to any in need but what of the disciple of today?
Please for those that are reeling in passionate rebuttal, do not think I am suggesting that we sell it all and live on the street so we may give to the poor by becoming poor ourselves. Our Father has also spoken prosperity over us but only if we put His Kingdom first. This tells me if we give it all to Him we then already own what is His. In fact He tells us in His word that we are joint heirs with Him. What belongs to our Daddy belongs to us by association and active participation in His Kingdom. This means that whatever we see, if we need it, or want it, it is ours already so we can thank Him for it and confidently expect that He will show us how to get it for His Kingdom not personal gain but for Kingdom gain. The more we give the more that is returned. But not just for the sake of blessing us as much as to bless us is to bless the world we live in as we give of the blessings He has bestowed upon us. We are not to stock pile without giving thought to giving also. Yes, we are expected to take care of our business, households and obligations in the natural but what of our spiritual obligation?
Often I think of how difficult it is for some of us just to tithe. It seems like a chore to some of us rather than a joy and gratefulness to G-d that He really only ask us to give 10%. We get to keep 90%. What a deal! I suggest to you now, for those who have no money or those that do, the words in Micah tells us to give 10% of all we have…may I suggest this means your time too since it is a gift from above that we live. In fact He tells us that “It is in Him that we live and have our being.” In addition to this, I never hear anyone complain at the end of the year when the tithe that is deducted renders a return nor do I hear anyone testify that they gave G-d a raise by donating their return, because of Him, to the building of His kingdom.
I am convinced that the command to tithe set out for us in the bible was not put there for the giver but for those that would not give less instructed to. For the giver in Christ the tithe is just the beginning. The word of G-d talks about “Tithes and offerings unto the L-rd.” Givers get this. Let me give you a live example:
Person X gave 10% of their income to the L-rd at their place of worship as is the tradition, plus 1/3 more of their income for the cause of building the Kingdom in their community and around the world. At the end of the year this sum was about 11,000.00. This generated a tax return of nearly 3,000.00. Person X decided that G-d had been so good to them that they gave this sum for Kingdom building in their community by donating to outreach programs in their city. Person X praised G-d for all He had done for them in the year past. He had blessed them to give and give but they still had some money in the bank and did all they wanted to do without struggle throughout the year. The praise was for the miracle of this, because person X knew how much was given vs. how much was left. G-d had seen them through and opened a window of blessings they could not contain. The next year person X gave 10% plus the tax return plus 1/3 more was poured out into the community for Kingdom building. The next year’s tax generated close to a 4,000.00 return. What a blessing! Person X saved a portion and donated the rest to community programs and their place of worship. How excited person X was to give without being noticed and had recognized that G-d was pouring out a natural blessing by allowing increases that would further bless His joyful giving child and He knew His joyful giver would bless Him likewise!
Person X was so excited this year because the L-rd had blessed them with a wonderful raise and a bonus twice in the same year! Person X gave 2/3 of the bonus to Kingdom building and was so excited to give more in tithes and offerings because of the wonderful raise! This tax year generated close to a 7,000.00 return. Oh praise G-d our joyful giver proclaimed! More for the Kingdom! Person X saved a portion and gave 2/3 back to G-d for His Kingdom. So happy to give, person X knew they had given 2/3 of their income plus Tithe plus bonus but yet they had more than they needed and did not want for a thing! How can this be? The word of the L-rd is true! He tells us to try Him and see “if He won’t open the flood gates of heaven” to give us an increase we cannot contain and I dare suggest comprehend.
Person X is still happily giving in tithe and offerings and in service. This year the expected increase is much, much more! Our cheerful giver is looking forward to giving even more! For those that are given much, much is required. That is not a bad thing for the cheerful giver because they are always looking for ways to give back and to love on their L-rd! Person X is faithful and kind and loves to give in every way…not just on Sunday but everyday our cheerful giver looks for ways to bless the L-rd in giving and in life. A true giver gives it all and has no account of the gift written anywhere but in the heart of G-d. A true giver sees the tithe as the beginning of the gift rather than the least I have to give. A true giver blesses G-d for the gift to be able to give because they realize that the gift to be able to give comes from Him as does the best example we can find John 3:16.
I will never tell who Person X is but I know them well and I will never tell the real amounts( much more than written) given as this would be contrary to Person X’s belief in giving in secret. This is a 100% true story that has no ending as Person X still gives and gives as the L-rd over flows in the gifts given. A true giver understands that all is His and therefore all is given to be given. Person X understands that the true gift has no account of the gift nor is there any expectation of reward but the act of giving is the greatest reward because it touches the heart of our G-d in a way that He can’t help but pour out His unfathomable love and blessings upon us just because. In fact the true giver will never remember the gift given. Our L-rd is a just because giver so as you can imagine He just loves just because givers where ever He may find them.
Have you considered accepting the gift in giving just because He is? In a day where it seems everyone has an angle and you have to be a good steward and be able to discern a fake from the real deal it is easy to get discouraged. Just as the gift is His, He is well able to direct you. Don’t get discouraged and not give, get on your knees and ask for direction then give, give, give! You will never beat G-d giving nor will you ever run out of things to give in funds, time, energies, services…there is so many wonderful opportunities to give! Just remember it all must be for Him and His Kingdom. You can’t fool G-d. He knows your heart. If you say, but I do give this and this but your heart is full of pride looking for a reward or you are doing it for show…you got your blessing. But that is a pitiful reward. The greater reward is done in secret for no other reason but that you love G-d with all your heart and so you want to find ways to bless Him. For Him there is only one way, “If you have done it to the least of these my brethren…you have done it unto me also…” We love Him by loving/giving to His most precious sheep considered the least of these but the most important to our L-rd! Love on our L-rd my brethren and love on Him often. He has always been loving on you! He is the best example of a joyous giver there is. I want to be like my Daddy, don’t you?
The gift of giving
By
Becki Jenkins
President/Director
Missionary Connection
The lost art of giving for the sake of it has been lost. How can we get it back in a society that is stuck on me…me….me. As Christians we are taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive, so why is it hard for us to grasp Jesus words when he said, “ Sell all your goods, give it to the poor and follow me…” Again in Acts 2: 45 it speaks of the followers of Christ selling all and giving it to any in need but what of the disciple of today?
Please for those that are reeling in passionate rebuttal, do not think I am suggesting that we sell it all and live on the street so we may give to the poor by becoming poor ourselves. Our Father has also spoken prosperity over us but only if we put His Kingdom first. This tells me if we give it all to Him we then already own what is His. In fact He tells us in His word that we are joint heirs with Him. What belongs to our Daddy belongs to us by association and active participation in His Kingdom. This means that whatever we see, if we need it, or want it, it is ours already so we can thank Him for it and confidently expect that He will show us how to get it for His Kingdom not personal gain but for Kingdom gain. The more we give the more that is returned. But not just for the sake of blessing us as much as to bless us is to bless the world we live in as we give of the blessings He has bestowed upon us. We are not to stock pile without giving thought to giving also. Yes, we are expected to take care of our business, households and obligations in the natural but what of our spiritual obligation?
Often I think of how difficult it is for some of us just to tithe. It seems like a chore to some of us rather than a joy and gratefulness to G-d that He really only ask us to give 10%. We get to keep 90%. What a deal! I suggest to you now, for those who have no money or those that do, the words in Micah tells us to give 10% of all we have…may I suggest this means your time too since it is a gift from above that we live. In fact He tells us that “It is in Him that we live and have our being.” In addition to this, I never hear anyone complain at the end of the year when the tithe that is deducted renders a return nor do I hear anyone testify that they gave G-d a raise by donating their return, because of Him, to the building of His kingdom.
I am convinced that the command to tithe set out for us in the bible was not put there for the giver but for those that would not give less instructed to. For the giver in Christ the tithe is just the beginning. The word of G-d talks about “Tithes and offerings unto the L-rd.” Givers get this. Let me give you a live example:
Person X gave 10% of their income to the L-rd at their place of worship as is the tradition, plus 1/3 more of their income for the cause of building the Kingdom in their community and around the world. At the end of the year this sum was about 11,000.00. This generated a tax return of nearly 3,000.00. Person X decided that G-d had been so good to them that they gave this sum for Kingdom building in their community by donating to outreach programs in their city. Person X praised G-d for all He had done for them in the year past. He had blessed them to give and give but they still had some money in the bank and did all they wanted to do without struggle throughout the year. The praise was for the miracle of this, because person X knew how much was given vs. how much was left. G-d had seen them through and opened a window of blessings they could not contain. The next year person X gave 10% plus the tax return plus 1/3 more was poured out into the community for Kingdom building. The next year’s tax generated close to a 4,000.00 return. What a blessing! Person X saved a portion and donated the rest to community programs and their place of worship. How excited person X was to give without being noticed and had recognized that G-d was pouring out a natural blessing by allowing increases that would further bless His joyful giving child and He knew His joyful giver would bless Him likewise!
Person X was so excited this year because the L-rd had blessed them with a wonderful raise and a bonus twice in the same year! Person X gave 2/3 of the bonus to Kingdom building and was so excited to give more in tithes and offerings because of the wonderful raise! This tax year generated close to a 7,000.00 return. Oh praise G-d our joyful giver proclaimed! More for the Kingdom! Person X saved a portion and gave 2/3 back to G-d for His Kingdom. So happy to give, person X knew they had given 2/3 of their income plus Tithe plus bonus but yet they had more than they needed and did not want for a thing! How can this be? The word of the L-rd is true! He tells us to try Him and see “if He won’t open the flood gates of heaven” to give us an increase we cannot contain and I dare suggest comprehend.
Person X is still happily giving in tithe and offerings and in service. This year the expected increase is much, much more! Our cheerful giver is looking forward to giving even more! For those that are given much, much is required. That is not a bad thing for the cheerful giver because they are always looking for ways to give back and to love on their L-rd! Person X is faithful and kind and loves to give in every way…not just on Sunday but everyday our cheerful giver looks for ways to bless the L-rd in giving and in life. A true giver gives it all and has no account of the gift written anywhere but in the heart of G-d. A true giver sees the tithe as the beginning of the gift rather than the least I have to give. A true giver blesses G-d for the gift to be able to give because they realize that the gift to be able to give comes from Him as does the best example we can find John 3:16.
I will never tell who Person X is but I know them well and I will never tell the real amounts( much more than written) given as this would be contrary to Person X’s belief in giving in secret. This is a 100% true story that has no ending as Person X still gives and gives as the L-rd over flows in the gifts given. A true giver understands that all is His and therefore all is given to be given. Person X understands that the true gift has no account of the gift nor is there any expectation of reward but the act of giving is the greatest reward because it touches the heart of our G-d in a way that He can’t help but pour out His unfathomable love and blessings upon us just because. In fact the true giver will never remember the gift given. Our L-rd is a just because giver so as you can imagine He just loves just because givers where ever He may find them.
Have you considered accepting the gift in giving just because He is? In a day where it seems everyone has an angle and you have to be a good steward and be able to discern a fake from the real deal it is easy to get discouraged. Just as the gift is His, He is well able to direct you. Don’t get discouraged and not give, get on your knees and ask for direction then give, give, give! You will never beat G-d giving nor will you ever run out of things to give in funds, time, energies, services…there is so many wonderful opportunities to give! Just remember it all must be for Him and His Kingdom. You can’t fool G-d. He knows your heart. If you say, but I do give this and this but your heart is full of pride looking for a reward or you are doing it for show…you got your blessing. But that is a pitiful reward. The greater reward is done in secret for no other reason but that you love G-d with all your heart and so you want to find ways to bless Him. For Him there is only one way, “If you have done it to the least of these my brethren…you have done it unto me also…” We love Him by loving/giving to His most precious sheep considered the least of these but the most important to our L-rd! Love on our L-rd my brethren and love on Him often. He has always been loving on you! He is the best example of a joyous giver there is. I want to be like my Daddy, don’t you?
# posted by MC Connect @ 2:20 PM 
