Tuesday, 11 November 2014

We Are Called To Be Givers



The responses my last blog provoked tell me that there are many wounded soldiers in the body of Christ who were wounded by other believers. It is wonderful to accept that one is hurt but you must accept that you can’t deal with it yourself and time is not a healer as some would like to believe; so we must bring the wound to God who heals. It is time to forgive everyone who you think used you despitefully so you may be healed and move forward accessing the goodness of God. Also, for every self-centered believer who has mastered the art of taking advantage of others, having realized that you cause others pain and your actions would attract a just recompense; I hope you are willing to walk with God to dethrone self and enthrone Christ in your life. The goodness of God is such that both the “prey and predator” can enjoy mercy and the benefits of the blood of Jesus. 

Mark 10: 45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus is the central theme of the bible so that the bible is all about a life given. Christianity is about giving and in giving we receive. The fullness of the God-Head set the tone by giving Jesus; and in His resurrection and our salvation, God confirms that only in giving do we receive and we do so, in exceeding abundance. So if we don’t give, we don’t receive. I dare to suggest that God knowing how beneficial giving is and how selfish the natural man is has asked that we first give ourselves to Him so that He then helps us give of ourselves. When giving is done carnally or self-motivated, it would often have a subtle selfish undertone and passively demand something in return from the receiver.  However, when our giving is instigated by God and on His behalf; our eyes are on Him for a reward which He never fails to give not only in exceeding abundance but also through any source He elects to use.  

Luke 6: 38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.”

Giving is more than physically passing on something when it is Holy Spirit inspired, it involves spirit, soul and body and as such cost something. If it is not self-motivated, a piece of you goes with it. If giving isn’t tough for man, the bible would not remind us to give cheerfully. Every self-motivated giver gives easily since the receiver becomes their debtor but when the giving originates from God’s nature in a person, they only trust God to return a bountiful harvest. The greatest gift we can give a person who used us despitefully or hurt or hates us is love because true love is giving of oneself which cost something. Note please that such people not necessarily love you in return so you have to manage your expectations. They may never cease to hate you; you love them because you are a sincere giver.

Acts 10: 4 “Cornelius stared at him in terror. What is it sir? he asked the angel. And the angel replied, your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering.”

There is so much power in giving that a little gift can change a life for good for forever especially when it is accompanied with life. God is so desperate for sincere givers that even sincere giving of unbelievers catches His attention so that He makes an effort to ensure they enjoy salvation. Believers, who act the victim, when they are indeed the predator, don’t change because they lie to themselves that other people ought to keep giving them; their pain is that they are not given enough of whatever it is they desire. Such people can change their lives by choosing to be givers instead. Giving changes your perspective and change of perspective is the first step to deliverance from that evil selfish life. It is time for change that we may please God.

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