give pt.2
GIVE: from the heart
the thing i have learned most importantly from scripture concerning the commands to give is that God is most pleased when we are most satisfied in Him. i knew this all along but every time scripture says to give, it says to give because the core issue is that you are treasuring God above things. we must first get passed the barrier in believing that we are exempt from any command to give. our command is clear. give, and give cheerfully knowing that our heavenly reward will be great.
there are several reasons it is crucial to give, ive come up with 3:
1) to be free from the the desire to be weathly, as it is a dangerous desire.
"Keep your life free from the love of money. Be content with what you have. For he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?" -Hebrews 13:5-6
"Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.." l Timothy 6:9,10
"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity."-luke 8:14
"And He told them a parable saying, 'The land of a rich man was very productive.' And he began reasoning to himself saying, `What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, `This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. `And I will say to my soul, '"Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."-luke 12:16-21
"But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full."-luke 6:24
2) to be intently focused on treasuring God and heavenly rewards, as these are greater treasures.
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."-colossians 3:1
"When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."-matthew 6:3,4
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men."-luke 6:35
"Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free."-ephesians 6:5-8
"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys."-luke 12:33
3) to be obedient to God in giving cheerfully, as it honors Him and increases our joy.
"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."-2 corinthians 9:7
"Don't set your hope on uncertain riches, but on God who richly furnishes you all things to enjoy."- 1 timothy 6:17
"Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" -Psalm 73:25-26
I do not naturally desire to store up treasure in heaven, it is all a apart of fighting the good fight of faith that i seek God and find joy in Him so that my joy will increase and He be glorified. it is a joyful thing that i will recieve heavenly reward and please my Heavenly Father by being content and giving. it is a joyful thing to receive blessings in return from God. it is a joyful thing to trust God more and desire money less. this is for my good to be free from the love of money and give out of joy. God help me to cherish you above any material thing.
God make me a doer of Your word so the truth you have revealed to me would not be done in vain. God make my heart long for the things that please you. and make me not like the pharasees who know Your commands and yet have a heart that is far from You. God give me a heart to give, so that i would serve You with a glad heart as You desire.
"And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.'"-mark 7:6
christianity is a crazy crazy thing.
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."-1 peter 1:6-9
the thing i have learned most importantly from scripture concerning the commands to give is that God is most pleased when we are most satisfied in Him. i knew this all along but every time scripture says to give, it says to give because the core issue is that you are treasuring God above things. we must first get passed the barrier in believing that we are exempt from any command to give. our command is clear. give, and give cheerfully knowing that our heavenly reward will be great.
there are several reasons it is crucial to give, ive come up with 3:
1) to be free from the the desire to be weathly, as it is a dangerous desire.
"Keep your life free from the love of money. Be content with what you have. For he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?" -Hebrews 13:5-6
"Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.." l Timothy 6:9,10
"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity."-luke 8:14
"And He told them a parable saying, 'The land of a rich man was very productive.' And he began reasoning to himself saying, `What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, `This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. `And I will say to my soul, '"Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."-luke 12:16-21
"But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full."-luke 6:24
2) to be intently focused on treasuring God and heavenly rewards, as these are greater treasures.
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."-colossians 3:1
"When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."-matthew 6:3,4
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men."-luke 6:35
"Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free."-ephesians 6:5-8
"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys."-luke 12:33
3) to be obedient to God in giving cheerfully, as it honors Him and increases our joy.
"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."-2 corinthians 9:7
"Don't set your hope on uncertain riches, but on God who richly furnishes you all things to enjoy."- 1 timothy 6:17
"Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" -Psalm 73:25-26
I do not naturally desire to store up treasure in heaven, it is all a apart of fighting the good fight of faith that i seek God and find joy in Him so that my joy will increase and He be glorified. it is a joyful thing that i will recieve heavenly reward and please my Heavenly Father by being content and giving. it is a joyful thing to receive blessings in return from God. it is a joyful thing to trust God more and desire money less. this is for my good to be free from the love of money and give out of joy. God help me to cherish you above any material thing.
God make me a doer of Your word so the truth you have revealed to me would not be done in vain. God make my heart long for the things that please you. and make me not like the pharasees who know Your commands and yet have a heart that is far from You. God give me a heart to give, so that i would serve You with a glad heart as You desire.
"And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.'"-mark 7:6
christianity is a crazy crazy thing.
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."-1 peter 1:6-9