Saturday, February 07, 2009

Giving to the Poor: (Part 2) Dt 15:1-3

There are several reasons for giving when expecting nothing in return. Here are but a few.

Releasing others to prosperity
"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7 NKJV) Prosperity is not arrived at by chance, nor is it earned, rather prosperity is built; often from one generation to another. When we give expecting to receive a return, we hold others in bondage to their debts; often preventing them from every getting free and climbing out from under their indebtedness. However, when we release what we have given, we set others free to begin to build the foundations for prosperity in their lives and the lives of their children.

It causes thanskgiving towards God
"For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God." (2 Corintheans 9:12) When we give expecting nothing in return, we allow people not only to see our generocity but also the love, kindness, and generocity of our Father in heaven who has prompted us to give so generously. When we give as God gives, people instictivly perceive the Giver behind the giver and their thnkfulness will extend beyond us to God.

We are blessed
"But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:13-14) While our giving should never be motivated by a desire to receive, there is a blessing we receive in giving. "Give , and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." (Luke 6:38) When we give, we release God's hand of blessing into our lives. When we hold back we can bind God's hand in our lives. "There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want." (Proverbs 11:24)

David Robison

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