Freely Give

Today’s Verse:

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. ~Matthew 10:8

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In Matt. 10, we have the basic training that our Lord Jesus Christ gave to the men known as Apostles. As we study what Jesus taught them, there are many profound and unchanging principles for effective and Christ-honoring service found in this chapter. One of the key principles of service is found in our devotion this morning. That virtue is the power of giving. Let us see this morning why giving is a foremost virtue for successfully serving our Lord.

We see the principle of giving.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again,” Luke 6:38. The very nature of God is giving. In fact, John 3:16 tells us that “For God so loved the world that he gave.” Giving is parting ways with something meaningful for the purpose of making someone else’s life or situation better. We are most like God when we are giving. Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. A spirit of giving is unselfish, considerate, and empowering.

We see the practice in giving.

“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Everything we have in our possession is a gift from God. James refers to the gifts of God as being “good, perfect, and from the Father of lights in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Just the fact that the life we have and salvation are God’s gifts to us should highly inspire us in our giving. So, freely ye have received, freely give. Giving is to be without bartering or for personal advancement. The practice of giving is to be without restraint. The practice of giving should be with immediacy. The practice of giving should be with the idea of impacting the life of another person. The practice of giving should be often and recurring. Freely ye have received, freely give.

We see the power from giving.

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.” Jesus gave the Apostles power to do his work. God gives us his power to be distributed through mighty works. It is a sin on our part to withhold his power, to limit his power, or to hinder his power from working through us. When we are uninhibited in our giving, our giving is able to change lives. Our giving is able to do the impossible. Our giving is able to give hope to those who feel hopeless. Our giving liberates those who are in bondage. Our giving helps those who are hurt and wounded. Our giving gives light where previously there was darkness. The power of giving makes God’s love tangible in the lives of others.

We see the product in giving.

Giving is how God’s will is done on earth as it is in Heaven. The greater the giving, the greater the results. When someone gives his best, the product is substantial. When someone gives his all, everything around that person is impacted forever. The secret to effective Christian service is how much we are giving away.

Giving is not limited to those with the most money and assets. Giving is something that every Christian must gladly major in. Freely ye have received, freely give!

Have a giving God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Micah 1-7

#Giving #Matthew