What is Your Perspective on Giving as a Christian?

Hello Everyone,

Thank God It's Friday! I thought to share what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me recently. The Holy Spirit has been reminding me of the biblical principle of giving. The Holy Spirit said giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving and there is no need to be anxious in the place of giving. God is essentially saying that we will have more blessings when we give than when we receive.

Do you believe you will have more blessings when you give than when you receive? Or do you always want to receive from people rather than give?

I believe an average human being prefers to acquire and be given things rather than to give. Most people love the security of having things and a lot of people struggle to understand that God will supply them with what they need. 

God actually wants us to give more than we receive. If we truly want to represent God on earth, we will give as it is a sign of God's love in us. Remember, God, demonstrated His love for us by giving His only son to die for us (John 3:16). In fact, Christ is still giving to us every single day, His protection, provision, guidance, good health, life, peace, joy, and many more.  

I love the way the CJB version explained Acts 20:35b, which says "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving" This is saying that giving can make you happy. As a matter of fact, your giving can make the receiver extremely happy which equally will make you happy. 

God also loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7b).

Also, the Book of Proverbs 11:24-25 says "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

What is your perspective on giving as a Christian? 

When we talk about giving, it isn't just about giving money, we can give our time, we can give our skills, talents, our resources, we can give compliments, we can give encouragement to others, and many more.  

Perspective 1

A Pastor recently shared that when they were going to buy their house, they didn't have a lot of money but God favoured them during the process of the house purchase as the sellers reduced the selling price significantly. Are you wondering why the price was significantly reduced? The sellers explained to the buyer that God had spoken to them individually and advised them to reduce the price of the house to help the couple that will be purchasing the house. One of the sellers said that she had to listen to God's instruction as God owns everything. Likewise, her husband said the same thing as his wife.

This story shared by the Pastor can be linked to the Word of God in Psalm 24:1 which says that "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Does this perspective guide your giving? Do you believe that since God owns everything, He will always meet your needs, therefore, you do not need to hoard resources?

Perspective 2

When we believe that our time on earth is temporary and we can never live forever on this earth, thus, we need to be preparing for heaven whilst we are on earth. This belief may guide our perspectives of giving. The Word of God says in Matthew 6:19 - 21 that you should not "store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Perspective 3

Some people believe that we should not give from the little that we have and we should not give to those that will not give back to us. Does this perspective guide your giving?   

Perspective 4

We need to give from a willing heart. We also need to give even when people do not give back to us. The Bible says in Luke 6:30-35 that "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Which of the above perspective guides your giving? Feel free to share your thoughts with me. 

A task for you to complete

As you go into this weekend, I would like you to consider what you can give. Has God blessed you with the gift of encouragement? Find someone to encourage this weekend.

Have you been blessed financially? Find someone or an organisation that you can bless financially.

Are you filled with God's wisdom? Find someone who needs a listening ear, give them your listening ears and godly counsel. 

Share the love of God through your giving. 

Food for thought

Are there things that you will struggle to give to God?

May we all be found faithful in our giving to the Lord in Jesus' name.

Have a lovely weekend!

Yours in Christ,
Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How they lived a Purpose Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download on Google Drive for free, click here.