Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Giving And Receiving

“As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” – 2 Corinthians 9:9-10. 

We all know that everything we have is a gift from God. But sometimes it’s hard to know just how to give back to God. How much is enough? Giving as an act of worship, an expression of faith, and a discipline for spiritual growth. Faithful use of our time, talents, and money starts with a deep, satisfying relationship with the God to whom we belong. When we give gladly and generously out of our heartfelt connection with God, God will give back to us in like measure.

Giving always results in receiving. We have God’s Word on it: Luke 6:38 says “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 [measure] it shall be measured to you again.”

It is a very plain statement that we should take at face value. If I give, something will be given back to me. If this was a friend or business person making this statement, I could be disappointed. But not God. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.“

How is it going to come back to me? Will it be given back to me in like kind? I believe that God will give back to us no matter what channel is used. Luke 6:38 tells us that the measure we use to give is the measure that will be used to return our giving to us. However, God uses a qualifier. It will be given back to us, “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”

The measure that is used to give back to me will be a good measure. We can rest assured that God will use an accurate measure. We do not have to wonder if we will be treated fairly. If we choose to be givers, we can trust that we will receive at the exact same level that we give. God determines the measure by the heart. You may only have a little to give, but if it is the best gift you can give and it is from the heart, God will give back to you at the dump truck level. Just start where you are. 

Once you have given, trust God to receive. He said he would give back to you. That is our promise from God.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has been your experience with debt?
  2. In what ways does debt limit freedom? Can you give personal examples?
  3. What makes is so difficult to get out of debt?

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