Word for Today, Tuesday, September 2, 2008: Appropriate Generosity

#1 · September 2, 2008, 6:09 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on September 2, 2008, 6:09 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I believe it is clear that it is right to be generous. Our God is an extremely generous God. However, God knows when to give and when to take away (or withhold from us). To me, the most loving way of all is to be generous, holding what we have loosely, but at the same time, being careful about what areas we choose to share our generosity and how to share it.

For example, to me it is right and proper to provide for our own families, at least the basics of food, shelter, and clothing first. The only thing that rightly comes at or before that is our tithe, which, according to Bible teaching, is the tenth, and the first fruits of what we earn. Unless we are destitute, we ought to always give to God's Work at a very minimum a tenth of what He has so graciously provided to us. Giving to additional projects, such as mission work, a natural crisis, or whatever else, ought to be done after our tithe is faithfully given and our families are taken care of, but we ought to be wise in our spending so that we will have resources to share when needs become apparent.

Here is a devotional message on the subject. Read it and see if you agree with the principles. Compare what is being said with what the Bible says, and do look up the references so you can choose to agree or disagree, and possibly do more study on the topic.

Yours in Christ,

Brian

 

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 2, 2008
Topic: Thankfulness, Christian Living/Situational, God's Care

Generosity

You know the saying "membership has its privileges"? Well, so does generosity. And giving generously is wise whether you're giving your money, your time or other resources to those who need it.

What Does God Say?

Proverbs 22:9:
"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor" (ESV).

That "bountiful eye" refers to seeing with a generous heart; seeing a need and being happy to do something about it. And here's the benefit: blessing!

Proverbs 28:27 adds another benefit: "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing" (NLT). In meeting the needs of others, God continues to provide for you.

However, Proverbs 28:27 also cautions: "But those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed" (NLT). It's hard to hear that if we ignore the needs of others, we're risking God's displeasure. But it makes sense.

You see, everything you and I have--money, possessions, time, even life itself--comes from God's generous hands. He gives us what we have and what we need. He then expects us to give to others the same way. He uses us to meet the needs of the poor, the helpless and those in difficulty. Read His instructions in Deuteronomy 15:7-11, and you'll see how God uses His people to meet the needs of others--and blesses their generosity in turn.

My Thoughts

Look up 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 for instructions concerning generosity.

What benefits or privileges do you find when you're generous?

What attitude do you need to exhibit when you give?

What does God do about your needs?

What does generosity produce?

My Part

In these tough economic times, we're easily anxious and that can make us stingy. "I can't give because I may not have enough for my own needs." Have you looked at Matthew 6:25-34 lately? How will your needs be met? What does it say about your relationship with God when you're anxious or stingy with what you have?

You may not have as much material wealth as some people have, but you're probably richer than most of the world. So, what will you do with it? If you can't give money, what can you give--energy, time, etc.? Jot down a few ideas today; then begin to act more generously. And ask God to help you give as He wants, with a bountiful eye and a cheerful heart, trusting Him to take care of you too.

A ministry of Back to the Bible
http://www.backtothebible.org/

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I believe it is clear that it is right to be generous. Our God is an extremely generous God. However, God knows when to give and when to take away (or withhold from us). To me, the most loving way of all is to be generous, holding what we have loosely, but at the same time, being careful about what areas we choose to share our generosity and how to share it.

For example, to me it is right and proper to provide for our own families, at least the basics of food, shelter, and clothing first. The only thing that rightly comes at or before that is our tithe, which, according to Bible teaching, is the tenth, and the first fruits of what we earn. Unless we are destitute, we ought to always give to God's Work at a very minimum a tenth of what He has so graciously provided to us. Giving to additional projects, such as mission work, a natural crisis, or whatever else, ought to be done after our tithe is faithfully given and our families are taken care of, but we ought to be wise in our spending so that we will have resources to share when needs become apparent.

Here is a devotional message on the subject. Read it and see if you agree with the principles. Compare what is being said with what the Bible says, and do look up the references so you can choose to agree or disagree, and possibly do more study on the topic.

Yours in Christ,

Brian

Daily Bible Study

Date: Sep 2, 2008
Topic: Thankfulness, Christian Living/Situational, God's Care

Generosity

You know the saying "membership has its privileges"? Well, so does generosity. And giving generously is wise whether you're giving your money, your time or other resources to those who need it.

What Does God Say?

Proverbs 22:9:
"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor" (ESV).

That "bountiful eye" refers to seeing with a generous heart; seeing a need and being happy to do something about it. And here's the benefit: blessing!

Proverbs 28:27 adds another benefit: "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing" (NLT). In meeting the needs of others, God continues to provide for you.

However, Proverbs 28:27 also cautions: "But those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed" (NLT). It's hard to hear that if we ignore the needs of others, we're risking God's displeasure. But it makes sense.

You see, everything you and I have--money, possessions, time, even life itself--comes from God's generous hands. He gives us what we have and what we need. He then expects us to give to others the same way. He uses us to meet the needs of the poor, the helpless and those in difficulty. Read His instructions in Deuteronomy 15:7-11, and you'll see how God uses His people to meet the needs of others--and blesses their generosity in turn.

My Thoughts

Look up 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 for instructions concerning generosity.

What benefits or privileges do you find when you're generous?
What attitude do you need to exhibit when you give?
What does God do about your needs?
What does generosity produce?

My Part

In these tough economic times, we're easily anxious and that can make us stingy. "I can't give because I may not have enough for my own needs." Have you looked at Matthew 6:25-34 lately? How will your needs be met? What does it say about your relationship with God when you're anxious or stingy with what you have?

You may not have as much material wealth as some people have, but you're probably richer than most of the world. So, what will you do with it? If you can't give money, what can you give--energy, time, etc.? Jot down a few ideas today; then begin to act more generously. And ask God to help you give as He wants, with a bountiful eye and a cheerful heart, trusting Him to take care of you too.

A ministry of Back to the Bible
http://www.backtothebible.org/