The Joy of Giving

Another Christmas has come and gone.  How was your Christmas?  Did you get everything you wanted?  Seems that the question always asked when Christmas is over, what did you get?  But I want to ask a different question, a more important question…what did you give?  Now I know we all gave something to the ones we love.  What we gave usually depends on what we are able to give, doesn’t it?  Some were able to give more than others, at least materialistically.  However, some gave more without ever giving anything but themselves.

I believe that giving is the most important thing a Christian can do.  Why?  Because we have been given so much!

Luke 12:48

... For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. 

NKJV

What have we been given?  Well let’s take a few minutes and see if we can answer that question.  I guess the first thing we will all think of is Jesus.

John 3:16

16    For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. NKJV

1 John 5:11

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NKJV

God gave us His only Son, Jesus.  Why?  So we should not perish but have everlasting life. 

He has given us the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:5

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

NKJV

The Holy Spirit was given to us to guide us.

1 Corinthians 2:12

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

NKJV

2 Corinthians 1:22

22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

NKJV

He has given us HOPE.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, NKJV

He has given us PEACE.

John 14:27

27  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. NKJV

He has given us GRACE.

Romans 12:3

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. NKJV

He has given us POWER.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

NKJV

He has given us WISDOM.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. NKJV

He has given us ABUNDANT LIFE.

These are just a few of the things God has given us.  I hope you would agree that much has been given, so we should expect that much will be required.

G – Give Generously

I – Give Instruction

V – Give Victoriously

E – Give Enthusiastically/Example

My friends, giving should be something we do every day of our lives.  What are you willing to give today?