“Give Yourself…”
“Give Yourself…”
Blessings folk!!
We continue to see how we are “give” as Believers.
Yes. I put the “give” in quotes.
So many misunderstandings related to the word.
Assume nothing.
Allow the Word of the Lord to teach us.
Yesterday we saw…
This is how we are to give…
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
Read the Word again…
2 Co 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers,
about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify,
and beyond their means, of their own accord,
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started,
so he should complete among you this act of grace.
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Paul was surprised by the giving and generosity of the Macedonia churches.
He did not expect it.
They were severely afflicted because of their faith.
They lived in extreme poverty.
Yet, they gave with overflowing generosity.
Paul knew why.
Look closely.
They gave themselves to the Lord.
This is the first thing that must be done.
We must give ourselves unto the Lord.
Then, by the will of God, they gave themselves to Paul and entourage.
If we do not give ourselves to the Lord, then all the great “giving” we might do will be for naught.
Give yourself.
Then do as the Lord reveals.
Such is the foundation of true giving.