Transcription
In the world we live in today, there is always lack all around us. In fact, the Bible goes as far as to tell us in Deuteronomy 15:1, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land." Therefore, I command you, you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy, and to the poor in your land.
However, we find that as believers, there is that consistent struggle within our hearts. There is that thought that clogs our minds. There is that place where our own needs war with the needs we see outside and the lack in people's lives. But what exactly then should we do?
The Bible testifies of a very odd set of people in the book of Corinthians. These people are called the Macedonian church. And Paul says this of them. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. "And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 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 God's people and they exceeded our expectations. They gave themselves first of all to the Lord and then by the will of God also to us."
Let's take a moment to dwell on that this morning. In this text, verse 2 and 3 stands out the most. Verse two testifies that they were in the midst of a trial and still they were willing to give as much as they were able and even beyond. The Bible verse here at no point mentions that they were in abundance but mention was made of their poverty.
Giving doesn't come to the mind because there is abundance. Giving is an attitude of the heart we all must cultivate and it isn't easy. Many times it's hard to look away from our own needs and look to someone else's. Sometimes it is even harder to give even when we have the means because of course we all have plans. We made plans. But even as we made plans and we have needs, we must realize that the Lord gave us a command and that command is that we give.
2 Corinthians 8:7 particularly says, "But since you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we have kindled in you, see that you also excel in the grace of giving. See that you excel in the grace of giving." This part of the verse tells me that a lot of intentionality goes into giving. It is not a gift. It is not something given to us that we just find ourselves doing. It doesn't get easier one day. But it's something we build ourselves towards as believers.
While we build ourselves, I believe it's necessary we also remind ourselves that this building starts with a little here, a little there. We start where we can and with what we have. In fact, on a more general note, it is necessary that we know that giving doesn't start when you have a lot to give. It is never a competition of who gave more. It is an action fueled by compassion and that compassion moves us to notice the big things and even the little things. It moves us to see the places where we can be of help in people's lives.
2 Corinthians 8:12 says, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." God doesn't expect you to break the bank to give. Even as he has commanded us to give, he expects us to give only within our means.
2 Corinthians 8:13 says, "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hardpressed, but that there might be equality." And that is the ultimate goal. Equality that even we in our little or in our much can meet the needs of some or many. It should never be to our own detriment but always to the strengthening of ourselves and those around us. To put it in the simplest terms, you should not lack but reach out when you can to see that another's need is met. This is not to say it will not be difficult. Giving is never easy. But it should never be done to the point where we become hardpressed ourselves.
The whole of this video has been on giving in times of need and its importance. But I believe these next few verses will give us insight into what the Lord has in his heart for those who are givers, how he regards them. The Bible says in the book of Proverbs 19:17, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will pay back what he has given." The book of Romans 12:13 also tells us, "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Proverbs 28:27 says, "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses." Proverbs 22:9, "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor." Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given unto you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap."
I hope these scriptures have blessed you and I pray that may this commandment of the Lord take root in your heart today. Remember, it is not about how much, it is about being a blessing. It's about remembering another's pain and relieving them of it if you can in that moment. Giving is not in the abundance of your pocket, but in the compassion of your heart. It will never be about how much you have, but that even the little you do have, you are willing to share.
Giving is love in its most tangible form. In fact, it's the most tangible form of love that people see. Giving is seeing. Giving is loving. Giving is knowing when to step in. In giving, we remember the Lord. Although the Bible makes abundant provisions for givers and the blessings are enormous and everflowing and they will indeed be a part of your life as you give. It should not be done for the blessings. It should always be fueled by love.
If these words this morning have blessed you and you would really like to key into that giving life, how about we say this prayer together in faith. "Father, I thank you for the words I have heard this morning. I thank you for letting this message find me today and for the blessing and the understanding that has come forth from it. I pray Lord this morning that these words take root in my heart. I pray that it stays in my heart and that it bears fruit. I will not just be a hearer of these words but a doer of them as well. The grace to train my heart to give when there is a need. The grace to stretch forth the hands of love to my brethren in Christ and even out of the church and the Christian fold. I receive it now in Jesus' name. I know the needs of man are insatiable and I know I will always need one thing or the other. But I pray for strength today to look away from myself, to look away from my needs, and lend a helping hand to someone that truly needs it. Father, I also pray this morning that you fill my heart with compassion and that you open my eyes. Help my heart to overflow with love towards those that are in need. Help my eyes not to close off. Help my eyes to be opened. If there is any way I have been blind to this in the past or any way I have closed my eyes to the pain of others, particularly when I could help. I pray that you forgive me. I apologize for closing my eyes to their pain. I am sorry that their pain didn't move me and that I have only been mindful of my life. I pray this morning, Lord, for a change. Help me to see through the eyes of love. Help me to love your people to the point where I am bothered when they are going through hardships. Help me not to care only for my own existence but to regard the lives of others. Let their state, let their lives matter to me. And father, I ask for the grace not only to see. Help me to also take action. Give me the wisdom to approach them in the most loving and the most understanding way possible and say to them, "Brother, I have noticed things have not been going well for a while. Are you okay? Can I help?" Help my words to be full of compassion and sincerity. And help me to pick the right words so they never feel less of themselves or feel bad for being in the condition they are in. Let me be able to be a place of rest for them, a safe haven, a listening ear, a place where their burdens are not judged and they have at least a bit of sucker from the storm they are in. And Father, when I do finally have that chance to give, I pray for the grace to give with the whole of my heart, with a true heart and with deep compassion. Not grudgingly because you have commanded it, but freely and willingly because I want to and because my heart is filled with love and compassion for the person or persons in need. I also ask for the grace to never be ashamed of what I have at that moment. Help me to start from where I am. Help me to also be able to give from what I have no matter how small I think it is. Heavenly Father, I pray that you help me and that you strengthen me to practice this consistently to make giving a part of my life and to never be closed off to the pain and the needs of others, particularly those in the household of faith. And I thank you, Lord, for your blessings as well. For I know that even as I give, you will bless me with abundance on every side. I thank you because I know you will supply all my needs according to your riches. I thank you because I know you will sustain me. In Jesus' name, amen."
If you have prayed this, I believe that you have a lighter heart already. Expect a heart full of compassion and open eyes to notice the needs that you have never noticed before today. In fact, make it a point today to fulfill a need that is within your means and see what it does to your heart. I hope you have the most fruitful day as you walk with the Lord today in this new phase. And I hope you tune in for another edifying devotional tomorrow morning so we can spend time together in his presence. God bless you and may his peace remain with you.