The Lifestyle Of A Giver
Have you ever heard of cloud-seeding? Airplanes or ground-based systems “seed” a substance into clouds that can cause rain to fall from them. It works the same in the Spirit realm. When we give, we are “seeding” our clouds of blessing until they overflow. Therefore, we want to live the lifestyle of a giver.
What is the lifestyle of a giver? Givers give when times are good and when times are bad. They give when they have it to give and when they do not. The lifestyle of a giver is designed to prosper every person they meet and every relationship they have. It is a way of life, every day, in all circumstances.
God’s Word instructs us regarding how we are to give.
35In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.
6[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
7Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
8And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
Jesus lived the lifestyle of a giver. Most importantly, He gave His life for our salvation, but He also gave a listening ear, time, friendship, understanding, teaching, healing and money. I will bet I lost some of you with the part about Jesus giving money because it is often taught that Jesus humbled Himself and was dirt poor.
Fact is, I do not believe for a second that Jesus was dirt poor. I believe He was the greatest and most generous giver to ever walk the Earth, and that includes the giving of money. Can I back this up? Yes!
First, does anyone truly believe Jesus could be dirt poor when He was able to manifest money at will? He performed that very miracle through the mouth of a fish in order to pay the temple tax. Therefore, I doubt He and His ministry lacked money. Second, His ministry had a treasurer by the name of Judas Iscariot who would be instructed to give to the poor. If Jesus was dirt poor and His ministry lacking, why would He need a treasurer in the first place?
27However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for Me and for yourself.
3Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But Judas Iscariot, the one of His disciples who was about to betray Him, said,
5Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year's wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor (the destitute)?
6Now he did not say this because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; and having the bag (the money box, the purse of the Twelve), he took for himself what was put into it [pilfering the collections].
27Then after [he had taken] the bit of food, Satan entered into and took possession of [Judas]. Jesus said to him, What you are going to do, do more swiftly than you seem to intend and make quick work of it.
28But nobody reclining at the table knew why He spoke to him or what He meant by telling him this.
29Some thought that, since Judas had the money box (the purse), Jesus was telling him, Buy what we need for the Festival, or that he should give something to the poor.
It is obvious Jesus knew and demonstrated the importance of giving. Therefore, we should all follow His example. By doing so, every time we give we are seeding our clouds for God to rain down more blessings. God’s Word also tells us that in the passages that follow.
38Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.
10And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
To summarize, when we live the lifestyle of a giver our lives overflow with blessings, both to us and to those around us.
God Bless!
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible”
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