Giving Is A Part Of Our Worship

GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER (Malachi 3:1-12, Deuteronomy 14:23–29) Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) I have been both the reciever of gifts of God through people and I have also been the giver to others. Both, feel good. Acts 20:35 says this - "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” I must agree that when you give and help someone that is in need, it is such a blessing to see that person helped along his or her way. It is a timeless truth that shifting our focus from acquiring to contributing brings profound joy. This concept, famously attributed to Jesus in Acts 20:35, When we are contributers community growth and in friendship growth as a whole. They tell me, and I believe it is true that generosity activates helps the brain by reducing stress, boosting overall happiness and giving one great joy down in the depths of your heart Yes, Vollunteering, and sharing your time, resources, or kindness take the focus away our own worries while also building a deep thankful heart for what we ourselves have been blessed with. Allowing you and I to have a positive impact in our world/community, and we get to see that true abundance comes from what you share rather than what you hoard. So through volunteer work, random acts of kindness, or simply lending a listening ear, when we give in these ways we are creating a ripple effect that impacts our world. Look at - (Luke 6:38): "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." this verse stems from ancient marketplace practices for measuring dry goods like grain. Where an honest merchant would push down the grain to eliminate empty air pockets in the container. Then they would shake the container to settle the grain and fill all of hte gaps, so the customer would get a good deal, by making sure the container was full. Then if that was not enough, they would pour a little more until it overflowed. Here in this verse in Luke, Jesus was teaching that the way you treat and give to others (whatever itwas you were giving, if it was grace, forgiveness, love, money, materials) that will determine the standard that will be returned to you by your God. Here are more verses that talk about giving, take sme time and read them, giving is important to God #1. PROVERBS 19:17, #2. MATTHEW 25:40, #3. JAMES 1:27, #4. LUKE 12:33, #5. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7, #6. DEUTERONOMY 15:10, #7. ISAIAH 58:6-7, #8. PROVERBS 22:9, #9. 1 JOHN 3:17-18, #10. LUKE 6:38, #11. HEBREWS 13:16, 12. PSALM 82:3-4, #13. GALATIANS 6:2, #14. MATTHEW 6:3-4, #15. MICAH 6:8 Here is a list of things we can give too, and how to give. Giving to the poor is giving to God (Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 25:40). Caring for orphans and widows is the mark of genuine faith (James 1:27, Psalm 82:3-4). Generosity is to flow from a joyful and willing heart, not obligation (2 Corinthians 9:7, Deuteronomy 15:10). Love that does not take action is not truly love (1 John 3:17-18, Galatians 6:2). Generous giving releases blessing for the giver and for the receiver (Proverbs 22:9, Luke 6:38). God sees every act of giving, whether it is public or private (Matthew 6:3-4, Hebrews 13:16). True faith demands action, justice, mercy, and humility toward those in need (Micah 6:8, Isaiah 58:6-7). These are not suggestions. They are the consistent, repeated, cross-Testament instructions of a God who cares deeply about people who are suffering, and who invites His people to be the vehicle through which His care reaches them. Lord, thank you for loving me and meeting all of my needs, I pray you would help me give back, through geneous giving to those in need as you direct and guide me. In your name I pray AMEN.