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Nov
15
The Power of Giving -Part I
Published in
Untagged by
Pastor Mark
"The World says, the more you take, the more you have. Christ says, the more your give the more you are." What we understand the more we look at our God is just how powerful giving really is. Giving whether that be with our life, our compassion or our resources is really a barometer of the heart. God set the example by giving sacrificially His own Son to come to a world that would abuse, misuse and ultimately kill Him. But that was not and is not the end of the story nor is it the reason why God gave. Giving has lasting effect, in fact Giving has eternal effect. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift."
This example of divine giving is demonstrates the amazing power of giving. Even though the gift that God gave was rejected by many, the gift of Jesus changed and still changes the world. At times we look at the idea of giving, as something we do to ease a heavy conscious or appease a guilty one. But the Word of God tells us that God loves a cheerful giver, one who gives not our of compulsion but out of a genuine deep understanding that to give is to love and to give is to show that we understand God's gift to us. We need to remind ourselves and others that giving is not optional for the Christian life it is essential to Christian living . The Bible tells us to give and it will be given unto you press down shaken together and running over. You show me someone who is stingy with what they have, and I will show you someone who does not grasp the love of God. The power of Giving is first and foremost expressed in love for someone else, without a desire to receive in return. If we give to get we can become very selfish and limit it's power. Mother Teresa who was used by God for decades to love the lowest of the low the least of all in India, gave to those who were dying and needed care when no one else would, understood the power of giving of herself and her resources. One day a group of students had come from the United States to Calcutta India where Mother Teresa ministered to the outcast of the city. The group was volunteering to help and on that day their assignment was to serve food for thousands of hungry and starving adults and children. The team went out on their task serving thousands of people over many hours in the hot and muggy conditions of Calcutta. The next morning Mother Teresa walked by the group and stopped in front of one young lady. Abruptly, she asked the young lady a question. "Did you enjoy serving food yesterday?" The young woman burst out, "Oh, yes it was wonderful I enjoyed it so much." "Good" Mother Teresa replied, "because if you don't enjoy it, it doesn't count." What a great lesson about giving, if we give anything, ourselves our resources or our time and don't enjoy it and do it gladly we miss the whole point of giving. Giving is an expression of love to others and more importantly our love for the God who has demonstrated how we are to give. The Power of Giving does not only change the recipient but the giver as well.
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