The Blessings Of Giving

“……And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Below are some benefits of giving:

Giving delights God: Because of generous givers who give to the less privileged, many praise and thanksgiving go to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-12). God is glorified in our giving. Generous givers reflect the nature and character of God, and this is partly why God loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving also delights Him because giving blesses His mankind, solving human problems such as hunger, homelessness, nakedness, eradication of diseases, etc.  “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” (Hebrews 13:16, NLT). Giving to His work also advances His Kingdom.

Giving destroys the power of greed: The human nature is inherently selfish and greedy. Generous and regular giving is painful to the flesh and breaks the selfish streak of the human nature. It makes us die to the flesh, and makes us more God like. Giving in God’s economy is counted as righteous work and good works that delivers divine promises in this world and the world to come (2 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Giving trusts in God’s provision: Many people don’t give often and regularly because of fear that they will run out of resources and supply. But great givers trust in divine provision. They believe Luke 6:38 that says “Give and it shall be given to you”. It takes faith and courage in God to believe the divine principle that he who scatters shall yet increase and the generous man shall be prosperous and enriched (Proverbs 11:24-25).  This divine principle does not make sense to the natural and rational mind. Faith in God for divine provision pleases Him.

Giving brings satisfaction and health: The Bible in talking about the generous man says those who refresh others will in turn be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). There is great fulfillment in being a blessing to others and helping to relieve their challenges. Covetousness and greed on the other hand can bring a curse (Proverbs 11:24b,26). John D. Rockefeller at 53 years old was the world’s richest man. At this age, he developed a strange and unyielding sickness, and he was given less than a year to live by doctors. This condition changed him and he began to give tons and tons of money to churches, schools, hospitals, etc. Miraculously he became healed of this terrible ailment and lived for another 40 plus years eventually dying at 97 years old. When we touch God’s mankind with our generosity, we also touch heaven.

Giving provokes divine intervention: Giving is a gracious act that qualifies the giver for divine intervention. The story was told of Dorcas in Acts 9: 36-43 who was a generous giver who was fond of making clothes and giving to widows. This woman suddenly died, and somehow because of her good deeds her church in Joppa refused to accept the verdict. They sent for Apostle Peter who was in a neighboring city to come and pray for her. And the apostle eventually raised her from death. Examples abound in the Bible of giving provoking divine intervention! Reference: Malachi 3:10-12

CONCLUSION: God does not judge us based on what we give but on what we could have given (Mark 12:41-44). Receive grace to be more generous and to have faith for divine provision. The blessings of giving is ours in Jesus name.  Have a blessed month in Jesus name.