Freely Give, Freely Receive!

So today, the idea of giving freely has been on my mind.  I have had a few experiences lately and some from several years ago that have been brought to mind about the subject…therefore…I write!  J

 

This statement crossed my mind:  “If you give with strings attached, you’re not really giving.”

 

Years ago, I met someone who was having financial difficulty.  After about a year of hearing about these difficulties, I began asking a few questions, cautiously and lovingly.  What I found out is that these people were not even keeping track of their bank account.  So, by the time Christmas rolled around, they never had any money to buy presents for their children, let alone put food on the table.  (After 2 Christmases like this, red flags appeared for me.)  Long story short, I taught this person how to balance a check book and plan for monthly expenses, wisely.  In the process, this Christian person became extremely angry about their financial giving.  They stated that they were giving the full tithe, but weren’t receiving anything in return.  I sat there in Starbucks completely stunned.  Seriously, I could not believe the depth of anger I was hearing from them. I quickly and silently prayed for guidance and then was able to let this person know that God wants a cheerful giver, and that if we give simply out of “duty” without truly wanting to give…and expecting financial, or any blessing from it, that’s probably not going to happen…although, I’m not God and He can do whatever He chooses.  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.   So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

God wants a cheerful giver...one who gives with no strings attached.  He blesses us because He loves us unconditionally.   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8  He wants us to prosper as our soul prospers.  Yes, He wants us to prosper!  Don’t believe the lie of Satan that He doesn’t want us to prosper.  He wants us to prosper in every aspect of our lives.  For some reason when the word “prosperity” is spoken, many people believe that it’s only finances that are being referred to.  Not so!!  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 1:2-4

 

Recently, I’ve seen some situations where someone “wanted to bless” another person only to see that person renege on the gift that they gave.  It turns out that the giver in this situation believed that they still had the right to determine what the receiver of the gift could do with the gift.  This is not giving with a cheerful heart.  Again, like the first example, this is giving with strings attached.

 

Now…here’s another example I’m going to throw in here and I may step on some toes.  What about giving only because the government allows it as a tax deduction on our taxes?  I have often wondered if people would still give the same amount if it wasn’t allowed as a tax deduction.  Ouch!  Think about that for a minute.  Would you give the same amount if you couldn’t use it as a tax deduction?  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a blessing that our government allows this, but what is the motivation behind the giving?  Is it because you truly want to give your tithes and offerings, or is it because you can receive tax deductions on it?  You see, there is a difference.  And, quite honestly, it’s somewhat annoying to me that the “carrot” of tax deduction is dangled while asking for donations.  By the way…not judging…just expressing an opinion.  What if we simply trusted God for what we truly needed without dangling the tax deduction "carrot? #FoodForThought

 

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your^[c] works, and I will show you my faith by my^[d] works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:14-20

Give because it’s in your heart to give.  Don’t give because you do it as a “work” for the Lord.  That is not the way it works.  Don’t give with “strings attached.”  You’re not really giving anything if you think you should still have control over the “supposed gift” after giving it.  Or for that matter, if you think you deserve something in return after “giving,” more than likely, you’re trying to control the receiver in some way, shape or form.  It’s not giving with a cheerful heart.  If you’re giving only because you get a tax break, that isn’t a true giving situation either.  Now, don’t get me wrong here.  Our government does allow for tax breaks.  There is nothing wrong with utilizing that.  But, don’t give solely for that reason.

These are all heart issues.  Examine your heart.  Ask God to reveal and weed out any wrong motives.

Be a cheerful giver so that God may prosper you…wholly…as your soul prospers.    

He is God. We are not.

My sheep know my voice. They hear me and they follow me.  Matthew 10:27

 

We don’t get to decide who God is. He is who He is, like it or not, simply because, He is God.  We are not.  Exodus 3:14

 

You see, we have the freedom to choose Him…or not. He is God. We are not. We are broken, hurting sinful people who need repentance of sin and submission to God.  We need Jesus. When we truly and fully choose Him, we abandon our ways and want to choose Him and His ways. When we truly and fully choose His ways, we don’t knowingly refuse to follow Him. We learn to give up our will and make His will our will.  We crucify our flesh.

 

He is God.  We are not.

 

His truths are far beyond the “truths” of man.  Man’s own “man made, shaped, and formed” knowledge gets in the way of God’s wisdom.  1 Corinthians 3:19  says,

 

“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”

 

Pray for those who cannot/choose not to see Him for who He is.  Choose to love instead of choosing to hate and/or separate.  The veil that hasn’t been removed is what keeps people from seeing Him and His ways.  Pray that God will remove the veil from the eyes of unbelievers.  Pray that hearts will be softened.  God has given us all the opportunity to come to Him.  He has given us all a measure of faith. Romans 12:3   It’s a matter of choice for each of us…not just a few of us…each and every one of us.  We have to choose to set our faith in motion. Choose to repent of our sin and follow Jesus fully.  Choose to love people who are still in sin the way Jesus loved us while we were still in sin. Romans 5:8

 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

 

Knowing what sin is and clinging to Him to overcome that sin is following Him, whatever the sin may be. (e.g., gossip, overeating, alcoholism, the occult, witch craft, lying, drugs, cheating, fornication, adultery, homosexual behavior, murder and the list goes on)  We cling to Jesus; trust that He will see us through to overcome whatever sin(s) we need to get rid of in our lives to be more like Him. We don’t wallow in it.  Knowing what sin is and knowingly choosing to wallow in it is not following Him.  We cannot wallow in sin and cry, “God’s grace.”  That is man’s way, not God’s way.  It’s one thing to sin and ask forgiveness while continuing with God to overcome an issue. It’s completely another to knowingly continue in sin without repentance. There is a definite difference.  Don’t choose denial, or bury your head in the sand, or cover your eyes from the truth.  Those are not legitimate reasons.

 

You see, we don’t get to set the parameters. God did that once and for all.    Job 38-42:2 ,     Ephesians 1:3-5  We can change our worldly laws to suit our sinful desires, and believe that “all is well”…but...

 

Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

 

His silence does not equal His approval.

 

Justice will prevail…sooner or later…it will prevail.

 

I’m only a woman. A woman with very little education, compared to “worldly standards.” I don’t and won’t pretend to know the mind of God.  But, I wonder if His lack of immediate action is kindness and mercy on His part…giving us more than ample time to correct the error of our wandering ways?

 

Again…He is God.  We are not.  His ways are sovereign.

 

Not all who claim to know Him will make it to Heaven.  Matthew 7:20-23  Anyone can call themselves a Christian.  That doesn’t mean that they are.  Only God knows our hearts, but He did say there are ways to discern.  The true mark of a Christian is one who lives a life of submission to God, one who has the evidence of the fruits of the spirit.  Ephesians 5,         Matthew 7:15-20   Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.  His silence does not equal His approval. He loves His children unconditionally.  His children are those who repent of sin, take up their cross and follow Him…daily…not just on Sunday…not just when life throws you a curve ball…daily.  We must choose Him.

For those who are truly seeking His ways, His grace is sufficient.  2 Corinthians 12:9  His grace is not a license to sin…period…never has been…never will be.  A true follower of Christ is consistently working to be like Him. Philippians 2:12 

 

Doing what you want continually and crying “grace,” simply put, is rebellion.

 

Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

 

Again…He set the parameters.

 

He is God.  We are not.

 

Yes, God loves us and His will is that all would come to Him for salvation.   1 Timothy 2:1-4  But, He forces no one to submit to Him.  That is not love.  Love is a choice.  Either you choose to love Him or you don’t. We are free to choose whatever we want.  But…remember this; we are not free from the consequences of our choices, whether good consequences or bad consequences.  It’s totally our choice.

 

We hold the key in our hand.  There are two doors set before us.  One has Jesus waiting for us, beckoning us to join Him.  This doorway and path leading onward is very narrow and not easily traversed.  The only way to continue on this path is with the guidance of Jesus.  It leads to our Heavenly Father.  On the other hand, the other door is easy to walk through.  It’s wide…easy to access the other side…no rules with an “anything goes” attitude.  And, it all looks fantastic from this side. But it leads to eternity in hell.  Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

 

You see, we choose.  Either way, we choose.  Life on this earth is but a vapor compared to eternity.  James 4:14

 

Eternity is a long time.

 

Choose wisely.

...serving God as a way to become prosperous...

Fifteen plus years ago I was at a church that began to heavily preach the “prosperity gospel.”  I had been at this church for a year or so and up until then, had been pleased with what was being taught.

I played the guitar on the worship team and when the music part was over, we would sit out in the congregation to listen to the message.  It seemed that every week I would end up sitting next to a person whose body odor nearly gagged me.  I don’t mean to be gross, but my nose is hyper sensitive…and well…let’s just leave it at that!  J I had been acquainted with this person for a while and actually was quite surprised by this.  It wasn’t normal for her.  I was concerned so I asked around to see if anyone knew what had caused this change with her.  Well, much to my surprise, I found out she had fast growing cataracts on her eyes and was suddenly legally blind.  The blindness caused her to lose her job.  She could no longer drive, read, work, etc.  Her life was changed drastically in a matter of a few months.  She was a single mom.  The only money that she was receiving was $350 a month and her rent was $300 a month.  Needless to say, life had become ultra challenging for her. 

I just couldn’t stand back and do nothing.  I decided to talk to the pastor about helping her out.  Since money had become the topic of most of the teachings, I really believed that I wouldn’t have any trouble getting help.  Wow…as a young Christian…I was sorely mistaken!  I won’t go into the sordid details.  Looking back, it was a wonderful learning time for me as far as learning what and what not to do in situations like this.  Some of the women and I did what we could to help her.  The Lord led us and we saw wonderful things take place for this lady.  I’m not sure who was blessed more us or the lady and her daughter. 

I learned at a very young “Christian” age that being a Christian is about serving God through serving others.  Yes, God does prosper us in many different ways which does happen to include finances.  There’s no getting around it.  But “serving God” as a way to become prosperous is not what God intends for us.  Matthew 6:33 states; Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. (See also 1Timothy 6:3-6) As Christians, no matter what our financial status may be, we are wealthy because Jesus is the greatest treasure we could ever attain!  

Be sensitive to the needs of others.  We’re here to serve others, not ourselves.  Be alert to those around you whether strangers, friends or family.  You never know who God may bring across your path that may need the help that only you can give.