The Truth About Giving
Oct 5, 2023Here is what the Bible teaches about giving:
(1) You cannot out give God. ‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.’ (2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV) When Paul talks here about ‘seed’, he’s talking about resources. Notice, some of the resources God gives you is to be used for your own needs, and some is to create ‘a harvest of righteousness’. What does that mean?
Paul explains: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ (2 Corinthians 9:9 NIV) In other words, you must show compassion towards those who are hurting and give generously to those who are unable to provide for themselves. The Bible says that when you give to the poor, you actually lend to the Lord, and He will repay you (see Proverbs 19:17).
Jesus said: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ (Luke 6:38 NIV).
(2) You should be a cheerful giver. You say, ‘If I get more, I’ll give more.’ No, that’s the wrong way around! It’s the level of your giving that determines the level of your receiving, not the other way around. So break through your barrier of fear and watch what God does.. He won’t disappoint you. Once you have experienced His blessing, you will never want to live any other way.