Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

It's a matter of moving away from a self-centered mindset. Nothing that any of us has is truly ours. Everything is a gift from God, to be used for His purposes. As Paul said in 1 Timothy 6, we are all born with nothing, and can take nothing with us when we die. Especially for Christians, there should be an awareness of both the spiritual and material needs of others and of wanting to help them fill those needs (Acts 2:44-45).

It is also a matter of truly having an ever-increasing faith in Jesus' words in Matthew 6:25-34 that God will provde for the genuine needs of those who follow Him.

May 05 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

NT instances of Liberality are listed in Nave's Topical Bible as:

Christians in Jerusalem, Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32-37; in Antioch, Acts 11:29; at Philippi, Phil. 4:18; Corinth, 2 Cor. 8:19; 9:1-13;

Macedonia, 2 Cor. 8:1-4.

Instances of Giving, also in NAVE'S, are:

The early Christians, Acts 2:44, 45; 4:34-37; 6:1-3; 11:29, 30; 24:17; Rom. 15:25-28; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1-4, 11, 12, 14. 

(classic.net.bible.org/dictionary)

Give Willingly
Notice what Paul says, describing the desperately poor Macedonia church:

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations…” (2 Corinthians 8:3-5).

When we understand the grace of God, we won’t need to be coerced into giving; like the believers of the Macedonia church, we will deeply desire to be generous. This isn’t a matter of what you “have” or “don’t have,” Paul says, this is a matter of being willing in your heart.

“… if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:11). 

Meaning, that generosity doesn’t begin in the wallet, it begins in the heart.

If your heart has been changed by Jesus and His grace, there should be an eager willingness to be generous to the work of the Lord. That’s why Jesus pointed out in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That means the greatest sign of a changed heart is a generous heart.--Pastor Frank Santora

May 07 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report