Have you ever stopped to think about how giving God’s heart is? From Genius to Revelation the Bible shows his constant giving. During his creation of all things, he gave us water and food, like the fruit on the trees and the fish in the sea, for just two examples. He gave us companionship by creating Eve for Adam. He gave us all the earthly beauty, the stars in the sky, and everything was created for us by him. God’s generosity, his giving heart is reflected throughout the book of Genius. When I think of the word “GIVE” I have several scriptures that come to mind. In Romans 12:8 the bible says “if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.  In this one scripture, God speaks about encouragement, generosity, leading and mercy. He tells us no matter the form of giving to do it from our heart, cheerfully and diligently. A giving heart is kind, cheerful, without expectations, and loving.

If we do something for someone and expect something in return, is it truly giving act? Luke 6:38 “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.” However, I don’t’ believe that God wants us to give so we can get something in return. What do you think to give means? Do you know the definition of  GIVE? What giving acts come to mind when I ask you if you have a giving heart?

The word GIVE in Greek is didómi which means to offer, put, place which is very much like our English definition which is someone presents or delivers, something that he or she owns to another person. Neither of these definitions says anything about what we give just how. We give so many times and we don’t even realize that we are giving because it isn’t money or a tangible item that we are giving.  Giving doesn’t have to be a material thing you give, you can give of your time, compassion, joy and love, all of which are intangible items but so meaningful.

Recently my sister shared a beautiful story of two girls who gave of their time, showing compassion and love in the most unlikely way. The story goes like this: “Today we got to witness a true generosity from the heart. I would like to extend a very special thank you to the two young ladies and their dog for stopping traffic and escorting mother duck with her many many ducklings across the busy intersection on Maize Road by Lowe’s over to the Olive Garden pond. It was such a blessing to see such a joy as these ladies escorted this family across this busy intersection bringing traffic to a stop and then hand picking each duckling up to get them over the large curb but they all manage to find the grass and follow mother to the pond. It was such a pleasure to watch mother and her family swimming away very contently and all because of the giving heart of two young ladies.”

Many relate giving to their offerings or tithes to the church, or donations to charity, which are definitely giving acts. Through God’s word we see and hear scriptures about tithes. Tithes of grain, tithes of wine, tithes come in a multitude of things but we are instructed not to give from obligation or grudgingly but with a cheerful heart. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  

God desires for us to give humbly. We should never give for our glory but for his. So many times I see others who give and then boast about what they have done to everyone who will listen. I have seen churches do the same thing, when they share over and over how they are being God in the community or about how many lives they are touching…but if you go into the community and say this is from our church…Are you really being the hands and feet of Jesus? Are you doing it for the glory of JESUS or the glory of your church? The next time you do something for someone try saying “we want you to know the love of JESUS, so we would like to do this for you.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (NIV, Matthew 6:1-2)

     Our Prayer

 Heavenly Father,

May we be humble followers of yours; may we serve you with a cheerful heart, giving humbly of ourselves without expectation. Lord, we desire to touch lives in your name and for your glory. As we count our blessings and let us share those blessings with others, let us not have a selfishness of spirit. As we walk through this earthly world, use us Lord, to bring others to know you. Lord, use us for your glory always. In the name of JESUS….AMEN. .