A Generous Life

The topic of prayer is noted in the Bible 371 times.  The topic of Love, 714 times.  Believing 272 times.  But the topic of giving is noted 2,162 times. The Bible also records God’s giving nature from the beginning with giving life to the universe, to the end in giving eternal life, and the most important gift; His son Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

In 1998 Pastor James Ranger from New Life Center in Bakersfield, CA preached a sermons series called, “God wants to use you”.  Part 5 of this series was about living a generous life. He noted the how many times the topics above were noted and taught us that the most important part of giving is giving ourselves first to the Lord (2nd Corinthians 8:1-9).

 

Pastor Ranger invited us to explore the scriptures to see how we could get the most out of giving. 

Here are his main points taken from 1st Chronicles 29:1-20:

GIVE WILLINGLY

⁶ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.

 

GIVE GENEROUSLY

³ Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple

 

GIVE JOYFULLY 

⁹ The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

 

GIVE THANKFULLY 

¹¹ Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. ¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. ¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

 

GIVE EXPECTANTLY

¹² Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and you give strength to all.

 

When we give our time, money, emotions, commitment we become more like God.  We also gain strength in our faith, build a closer relationship with God, and share in the victory of life with God. When we share in the victory of life with God we can live a life free of worry.  Last night my hubby was talking about paying bills the next day and went to bed full of worry. This morning I greeted him and told him everything would be ok and he shouldn’t worry.  He asked me if was going to sing   “Hakuna Matata” from the Lion King Disney movie.  I told him no but he’d just given me a great link for today’s blog. So here you go –enjoy!!  Click here for link to the song (It means - No Worries!!) “Hakuna Matata"

**Lord, thank you for giving me everything I need to return love to you.  Thank you for giving so generously to me and I commit to giving to others in the same way.  Forgive me for living in fear and worry when I feel poor. Remind me that I am rich in you so I can give joyfully and freely even from my want.**

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. ”  1st Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)