THE JOY OF GIVING
by Pastor Mark Taylor
One of the greatest challenges we face is the temptation to live selfishly. Society has taught us to look out for “number one”. This is the “me” generation and this attitude can spill over into our relationship with God, our families, and one another. If we want to experience God’s joy and have Him pour out His blessings in our lives, we are going to have to be interested in other people and their needs.
We Were Created to Give
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:26-27). God is always giving to us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Jesus said: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28.)
We Should Look For Opportunities to Give God’s Love
We may not feel we have much to give. But we have much more than we may realize. Someone needs your smile today. Someone needs your love today. Someone needs a hug and to feel your touch of love. There is healing in your hands and voice. God wants to use you to bring hope, healing, love and victory into the lives of others. You can help someone by being a friend and giving them encouragement. You can give someone a compliment or praise for something they did. You can visit someone in the hospital or a senior citizen in a nursing home. You can write somebody an encouraging letter. The list goes on. Ask the Lord how He can use you today to give of yourself to others.
Whatever You Give, Will Be Given Back To You
This is a spiritual principle. Jesus said: "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38).
This is not just talking about money. It is talking about service, love, and time. Jesus said this about giving small things: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Mark 9:41).
Live To Give
Somebody needs what you have to give. It may not be your money; it may be your time. It may be your listening ear. It may be your arms to encourage. It may be your smile to uplift. We need to learn how to be givers and not just receivers. We need to quit trying to figure out what everybody can do for us and start trying to figure out what we can do for somebody else. We were created to be givers and we will never truly be fulfilled in our lives until we learn this simple secret of how to give our lives away.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
“Is it not to break your bread to the hungry, and that you should bring home the wandering poor? When will you see the naked and cover him; and you will not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break out as the dawn, and your health shall spring out quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall gather you” (Isaiah 58:7-8).
“He that has pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he has given will He pay him again” (Proverbs 19:17).
Give your life to the Lord Jesus today. He can and will give you the desire and ability to give to others. He has already given His life for you and to you. When you do this, you will have real joy. He loves you today and wants you to be happy now and go to Heaven later. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and become your Savior today. When you give your life to Him, He will take care of you!!
