“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 ESV
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV
Our two verses today tell us that we should give and how we should give. Our first is from the teaching of Jesus in what is called the sermon on the plain, an abbreviated form of the sermon on the mount in Matthew. (I always learn something new!) Jesus is talking to His disciples, a large multitude of followers, and us. Jesus says when we give, it will also be given to us. How we give to others, that is generously, is how we will receive!
Our second verse is advice from Paul. We are to give what we decide we want to give, not because we feel like we have to or reluctantly, but cheerfully because we know we are helping someone else and “God loves a cheerful giver.”
When we talk about giving, most of us typically think of money, tithing to our church or giving to support a mission group, or even a community project. But giving generously can take so many other forms. We can give generously of our talents, our time, and our gifts.
Maybe you’re a great listener or a caring comforter, maybe you love to teach, maybe you are an encourager, maybe you love to cook and bake, maybe you love to share your testimony of all God has done for you, maybe you love to work with kids, or maybe you are a faithful prayer warrior. We can all find something that we can do to give to others. We can give generously and cheerfully!
The most wonderful thing about giving of our time, talents and gifts is the feeling we receive because we helped, comforted, encouraged, or listened to someone. Kindness, caring, and love given to others is in God’s will for all of us.
This week make a special effort to give generously as opportunities present themselves. Pray with someone, grieve with a friend, visit the lonely, listen to someone’s heartache, share the gospel, smile at those you meet, be kind to a stranger, and you can probably think of so many more. Use your time, gifts, and talents to give generously.
And be prepared to receive generous blessings from God, our heavenly Father!
I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we find ways to give generously to others.
Blessings and joy in giving to others!
Peggy Writes 
Wise words, indeed, Peggy. I think, as you stated, that sometimes people want to give but we don’t know what we have to offer, or we think nothing we have to offer will do any good. But the parable of the widow’s mite says a lot about giving and how God sees the true intent of our hearts. Rest assured, my friend, you continue to give generously with your writing and you’re making a difference in the lives of your readers and many others. My hope is that you receive abundantly in return because of the goodness of your heart. ❤
Have a good week ahead, my friend. 😊
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Thank you, Mike, for your kind words and encouragement. You keep me writing when I feel like giving up! I appreciate you more than you know. I had quit sending children’s stories to agents and editors for a while. But you have encouraged me to start again and not give up! I’ll keep you posted, my friend.
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