Title

Giving Is a Gift From God

Scripture
And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than receive.”
(Acts 20:35)
Devotional
Have you ever watched the faces of children giving a gift to their parents? The joy and excitement they radiate are simply exuberant. I can remember one Christmas when my two children sacrificed with me to buy their mother a very special coat. Each opened their presents with youthful gratitude. However, I will never forget the looks on their faces as their mother opened her gift from them. It was an expression that shouted, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” To be able to bless others is a wonderful gift to receive. Giving is a godly character. Our God is a self-giving God. Everything emanates out from Him. Therefore giving reflects the very heart of God. He has blessed us with that ability, the capacity to give. Giving is a gift from God. If you hold on to it you will miss its reward. Practice it and you will be blessed.
Thought For The Night
“I do not think I exaggerate when I say that some of us put our offering in the plate with a kind of triumphant bounce as much as to say, ‘There-now God will feel better!’… I am obliged to tell you that God does not need anything you have. He does not need a dime of your money. It is your own spiritual welfare at stake in such matters as these.… You have the right to keep what you have all to yourself—but it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you.” A. W. Tozer, contemporary and friend of C.S. Lewis who called him a “20th-century prophet.”
 
Evening Text
Acts 20:35: “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Looking for Answers
Evening Study Guide
Defining: Blessed in its simplest definition: “Made happy.”
 
Referencing: “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
 
Applying: Become a giver. Begin by simply looking around. What do you have that you do not need? Give it away. Give from your abundance. Give regularly. Give tithes and offerings. When able and the need arises, learn to give sacrificially. Do these and watch the blessings.