Reflecting The Heart of God -
There is something uncommon, I think … about a person who gives without keeping ‘score’! They simply see a need, think about it – pray about it - consider the resources they have, and ask: ‘what can I do'? - or 'how can I help?’
– This is the motivational gift of giving, and it is one of the most powerful expressions of God's nature.
Giving … in the biblical sense, is far bigger than writing a check - It is a posture of the heart. It is a way of living that understands first and foremost that, everything I have belongs to God (it all came from Him), so … what does He want me to do with it?
Giving Starts on the Inside-
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that each person must give as they have decided (purposed) in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). That word cheerful in the original Greek carries the idea of a ‘hilarious’ joy. God is not honored by a giving that is reluctantly done through guilt or social pressure. He is honored by giving that bubbles up from a heart that has been genuinely stirred. If we give to impress others, or to earn spiritual “street cred”, or even to manipulate outcomes, if that’s our goal - we’ve already missed the point. True generosity is an inward conviction that unwraps into an outward action. The Holy Spirit stirs something up inside a person, and they simply respond. They release the gift back to God through the other person (and in whatever form it might best be of use)! This is our spiritual act of worship unto the Lord!
More Than Just Money
True generosity means realizing you are just a channel, not the source, which frees you from the pride of keeping score. Also - true biblical giving is not just limited to finances. The Greek word used in Romans 12 for giving carries the idea of sharing what you have. What you have may be money, but it may also be time, a skill, wisdom, connections, your ‘know how’, hospitality, or simply a listening ear at exactly the right moment. Some people can write a large check and not even feel it. Yet if you ask them to sit with someone in a hospital room for two hours, that cost might too great for them to give. Giving of your time and talent - is giving too. Some people have tools, business know-how, the right connections, or the ability to fix things with their hands. Some have a gift for saying exactly the right thing at the exact right time. The person with the motivational gift of giving sees a need and immediately begins inventorying their resources, not just their bank account, but everything available to them, and asks, “what’s actually going to help out here?”. The giver holds their possessions loosely - because they understand a core truth: they don't own anything. They are just stewards. And a faithful steward says, "Lord, this is all yours -show me how to use it well". - 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us that - “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
God’s Measuring Cup
Since I was a kid - I’ve always been struck by the spiritual paradox of Jesus who watches the poor widow drop two small copper coins into the temple treasury. The wealthy around her gave far larger amounts. But Jesus said she gave more than all of them (Mark 12:41-44). What?– how can that be? ... Well? – It wasn’t more in numbers - but more in meaning. She gave out of her poverty. She gave everything she had. She gave by faith – trusting God would cover it! She knew her God –and was certain that He was faithful! People look at the amount. God looks at the heart. People look at the gift. God looks at the sacrifice. People look at the check. God looks at the trust behind it. When you give, you are showing God that you trust him. A small gift offered from a surrendered heart is not a small thing in the economy of heaven. God is not impressed by flashy giving. He is moved by faithful – simple generosity.
Give Liberally, Give Simply
Romans 12 calls the giver to give with liberality. The King James Version uses the word simplicity. Put those two together and you have a beautiful picture: pour it on, but do not make a show of it. Give generously, but do not keep score. No strings attached. Jesus said that when you give to those in need, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). This kind of giving is quiet, almost invisible, it’s a heart that meets a need without needing recognition. No applause - No plaque – No brownie points - No-one may even know. The giver simply had something to offer and helped out.
The Reluctant Giver
Not everyone begins - as a cheerful giver. I love the account of Simon of Cyrene – because here’s this unaware guy in from out of town with his family for the Jewish Passover (my surmising - but I feel it's likely) - and suddenly finds himself “pressed into service” - against his will. Compelled to carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha. I’m sure his plans didn’t include carrying a condemned man’s cross to His death that day. He hadn’t volunteered. There was no ministry “sign-up” sheet. Yet – we see from this story that - we know certain intricate details about his life that we couldn't have known if he had split as soon as they got to the hilltop. We know his name 'Simon'– we know the town he was from - 'Cyrene'. We even know the names of his two children 'Alexander and Rufus' - who were with him that day. This kind of detail - points to a in-depth conversation that had to have occurred between him and the disciples at the top of that hill. Just imagine that conversation – The women (especially Jesus' mother) and the disciples expressing their gratitude to Simon for helping– all the while weeping! Simon befuddled about what had just happened - asking – why? and who? - who is this Jesus?! Simon - perhaps even recounting the conversation he and Jesus had on that long slow walk. I don't believe that you can walk with Jesus and not be changed. Something special happened on that walk with Jesus. A life touched. A family changed!
The take away from that story of the 'reluctant giver' - Simon ... is this: ‘give anyway’. Even if you are not certain. Even if you are not yet a cheerful giver. Even if it’s something other than money that you have to give. Give anyway. Obey anyway. Serve somewhere. Give something.
Joy is always the fruit of obedience, it is in the walk with Jesus – that the joy comes – it is always - along the way - not before. You can never outgive God! What has God placed in your hands? It could be money. It could also be your time, a skill, your testimony, a connection, or simply a willingness to show up and listen. It might only be “two-mites” – but obey God - give it back to Him and watch what He can do! Ever wonder how Simon might have felt - three days later - seeing and speaking once again with the risen Christ?
You cannot out-give the one who gave it all. Everything we are (our very being) – and everything we have or ever will have – came from God ... first!
God gave first! God gave his Son. Jesus gave His life. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts so that we, in turn, can give them back to Him through the people in the world around us – and don’t worry - God will re-fill your bucket! The point of giving is that others might see Him more clearly - through the transparency of our faith in Him. Amen!
Blessings -
Pastor Bob
There is something uncommon, I think … about a person who gives without keeping ‘score’! They simply see a need, think about it – pray about it - consider the resources they have, and ask: ‘what can I do'? - or 'how can I help?’
– This is the motivational gift of giving, and it is one of the most powerful expressions of God's nature.
Giving … in the biblical sense, is far bigger than writing a check - It is a posture of the heart. It is a way of living that understands first and foremost that, everything I have belongs to God (it all came from Him), so … what does He want me to do with it?
Giving Starts on the Inside-
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that each person must give as they have decided (purposed) in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). That word cheerful in the original Greek carries the idea of a ‘hilarious’ joy. God is not honored by a giving that is reluctantly done through guilt or social pressure. He is honored by giving that bubbles up from a heart that has been genuinely stirred. If we give to impress others, or to earn spiritual “street cred”, or even to manipulate outcomes, if that’s our goal - we’ve already missed the point. True generosity is an inward conviction that unwraps into an outward action. The Holy Spirit stirs something up inside a person, and they simply respond. They release the gift back to God through the other person (and in whatever form it might best be of use)! This is our spiritual act of worship unto the Lord!
More Than Just Money
True generosity means realizing you are just a channel, not the source, which frees you from the pride of keeping score. Also - true biblical giving is not just limited to finances. The Greek word used in Romans 12 for giving carries the idea of sharing what you have. What you have may be money, but it may also be time, a skill, wisdom, connections, your ‘know how’, hospitality, or simply a listening ear at exactly the right moment. Some people can write a large check and not even feel it. Yet if you ask them to sit with someone in a hospital room for two hours, that cost might too great for them to give. Giving of your time and talent - is giving too. Some people have tools, business know-how, the right connections, or the ability to fix things with their hands. Some have a gift for saying exactly the right thing at the exact right time. The person with the motivational gift of giving sees a need and immediately begins inventorying their resources, not just their bank account, but everything available to them, and asks, “what’s actually going to help out here?”. The giver holds their possessions loosely - because they understand a core truth: they don't own anything. They are just stewards. And a faithful steward says, "Lord, this is all yours -show me how to use it well". - 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us that - “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
God’s Measuring Cup
Since I was a kid - I’ve always been struck by the spiritual paradox of Jesus who watches the poor widow drop two small copper coins into the temple treasury. The wealthy around her gave far larger amounts. But Jesus said she gave more than all of them (Mark 12:41-44). What?– how can that be? ... Well? – It wasn’t more in numbers - but more in meaning. She gave out of her poverty. She gave everything she had. She gave by faith – trusting God would cover it! She knew her God –and was certain that He was faithful! People look at the amount. God looks at the heart. People look at the gift. God looks at the sacrifice. People look at the check. God looks at the trust behind it. When you give, you are showing God that you trust him. A small gift offered from a surrendered heart is not a small thing in the economy of heaven. God is not impressed by flashy giving. He is moved by faithful – simple generosity.
Give Liberally, Give Simply
Romans 12 calls the giver to give with liberality. The King James Version uses the word simplicity. Put those two together and you have a beautiful picture: pour it on, but do not make a show of it. Give generously, but do not keep score. No strings attached. Jesus said that when you give to those in need, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). This kind of giving is quiet, almost invisible, it’s a heart that meets a need without needing recognition. No applause - No plaque – No brownie points - No-one may even know. The giver simply had something to offer and helped out.
The Reluctant Giver
Not everyone begins - as a cheerful giver. I love the account of Simon of Cyrene – because here’s this unaware guy in from out of town with his family for the Jewish Passover (my surmising - but I feel it's likely) - and suddenly finds himself “pressed into service” - against his will. Compelled to carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha. I’m sure his plans didn’t include carrying a condemned man’s cross to His death that day. He hadn’t volunteered. There was no ministry “sign-up” sheet. Yet – we see from this story that - we know certain intricate details about his life that we couldn't have known if he had split as soon as they got to the hilltop. We know his name 'Simon'– we know the town he was from - 'Cyrene'. We even know the names of his two children 'Alexander and Rufus' - who were with him that day. This kind of detail - points to a in-depth conversation that had to have occurred between him and the disciples at the top of that hill. Just imagine that conversation – The women (especially Jesus' mother) and the disciples expressing their gratitude to Simon for helping– all the while weeping! Simon befuddled about what had just happened - asking – why? and who? - who is this Jesus?! Simon - perhaps even recounting the conversation he and Jesus had on that long slow walk. I don't believe that you can walk with Jesus and not be changed. Something special happened on that walk with Jesus. A life touched. A family changed!
The take away from that story of the 'reluctant giver' - Simon ... is this: ‘give anyway’. Even if you are not certain. Even if you are not yet a cheerful giver. Even if it’s something other than money that you have to give. Give anyway. Obey anyway. Serve somewhere. Give something.
Joy is always the fruit of obedience, it is in the walk with Jesus – that the joy comes – it is always - along the way - not before. You can never outgive God! What has God placed in your hands? It could be money. It could also be your time, a skill, your testimony, a connection, or simply a willingness to show up and listen. It might only be “two-mites” – but obey God - give it back to Him and watch what He can do! Ever wonder how Simon might have felt - three days later - seeing and speaking once again with the risen Christ?
You cannot out-give the one who gave it all. Everything we are (our very being) – and everything we have or ever will have – came from God ... first!
God gave first! God gave his Son. Jesus gave His life. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts so that we, in turn, can give them back to Him through the people in the world around us – and don’t worry - God will re-fill your bucket! The point of giving is that others might see Him more clearly - through the transparency of our faith in Him. Amen!
Blessings -
Pastor Bob
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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