HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 145
page A143
• MAT T H E W 2 6 :6 4 | “In the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power
at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Generosity See Giving
Gifts See Abilities; Giving
Giving See also Money
On the surface, giving appears to be sharing possessions, wealth, income, and the like.
More importantly, giving is sharing yourself. Giving is a most remarkable concept, originating in the heart of a giving God, a God who pours forth more blessings on his people
than we can ever deserve or expect. The gift of life, the gift of love, the gift of salvation,
the gift of eternity in heaven—all of these are priceless. The possessions we have are
generally a tangible result of what we have invested in time and energy and talent. But
who we are—our character—is always a direct result of what we have invested of ourselves with God and others. And one of the great and unique promises of the Bible is
that the more we give, the more we receive—not necessarily in material possessions,
but in spiritual and eternal rewards.
• DE U T E R O NO MY 1 5 :7 -8 | “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you
arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted
toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need.”
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• J O H N 6 :9 | “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good
is that with this huge crowd?” (See note on page 959.)
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What is generosity?
• H E B R E W S 1 3 :1 6 | Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the
sacrifices that please God.
Generosity is sharing with someone in need.
• DE U T E R O NO MY 1 6 :1 7 | “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to
them by the Lord your God.”
Generosity involves sharing your blessings.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 8 :3 | I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far
more. And they did it of their own free will.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 9 :7 | You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t
give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
(See note on page 1053.)
Generosity is not just what you give but the attitude with which you give it.
Why should I give?
• MA L A C H I 3 :1 0 | “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in
my Temple. If you do . . . I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” (See note on
page 856.)
We should give because God commands it. While we should never give just to get
something in return (for that violates giving as an act of love), God does promise bountiful
blessings for those who obey this command.
• J O H N 3 :1 6 | “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son.” (See note
on page 955.)
• L U K E 2 1 :3 | “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the
rest of them.”
The model for all giving is the heart of God. He loved so much that he gave, not merely
possessions or money, but his only Son to redeem a lost world.