The Blessing Of Giving

“…And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35b).

Giving is an act of presenting voluntarily without expecting compensations. It is guided by a motive rooted in simple thankfulness for the grace God has bestowed on the giver which surely comes with some blessings. Below are some benefits of giving:

Giving delights God: God is always very pleased when praises and thanksgivings are ascribed to him by the less privileged when they received gifts from generous givers (2 Corinthians 9:11-12). God is glorified in our giving. Generous givers reflect the nature and character of God, and this is partly why God loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving also delights Him because it blesses His mankind, solving human problems such as hunger, homelessness, nakedness, diseases, etc. “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (Hebrews 13:16, NLT). Giving to His work also advances His Kingdom.

Giving destroys the power of greed: The human nature is inherently selfish and greedy. Generous and regular giving could be painful to the flesh and break the selfish streak of the human nature. It makes us die to the flesh, and makes us more God-like. Giving in God’s economy is counted as good works that delivers divine promises in this world and the world to come (2 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Giving trusts in God’s provision: Many people don’t give often because of the fear that they will run out of resources and supply. But great givers trust in divine provision. They believe in what is written in Luke 6:38 – “Give and it shall be given to you.” It takes faith and courage in God to believe the divine principle that he who scatters shall yet increase and the generous man shall be prosperous and enriched (Proverbs 11:24-25). This divine principle does not make sense to the natural and rational mind. Faith in God expressed for divine provision pleases Him.

Giving brings satisfaction and health: The Bible, talking about the generous man, says those who refresh others will in turn be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). There is great fulfillment in being a blessing to others and helping to relieve their challenges. Covetousness and greed on the other hand can bring a curse (Proverbs 11:24b, 26). John D. Rockefeller, at 53 years old, was the world’s richest man. At this age, he developed a strange and unyielding sickness. His doctors even announced that he could only live up to a year based on their prognosis of his ailment. The gloomy assessment of his condition changed him so much that he began to give tons of his money to churches, schools, hospitals, etc. Later on, he miraculously became healed of that terrible ailment and lived for another 40 plus years, eventually dying at 97 years old. When we touch God’s mankind with our generosity, we also touch heaven.

Giving provokes divine intervention: Giving is a gracious act that qualifies the giver for divine intervention. A real story was told of Dorcas in Acts 9:36-43 who was a generous giver. She was also fond of making and giving clothes to widows. This woman suddenly died. However, because of her renowned good deeds, her church in Joppa refused to accept the verdict. They sent for Apostle Peter who was in a neighboring city to come and pray for her. And the apostle eventually raised her from death. Many other examples abound in the Bible of divine intervention provoked by giving (Malachi 3:10-12).

CONCLUSION: God does not judge us based on what we give but on what we could have given (Mark 12:41-44). Receive grace to be generous and to have faith for divine provision. The blessing of giving is ours in Jesus’ name. Have a blessed month in Jesus’ name.

Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com