BLESSED BY GIVING
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35, ESV
Theme: Giving is part of following Jesus; we are called to use our talents and financial gifts to bless others.
GIVING > RECEIVING
It doesn’t feel true until you live it. Who benefits more – the baby who receives from his parents or his parents? Who learns most – the person who reads a book or the one who writes it? Whenever I write devotions, lead Life Group, or share a message with Cove Kids or students, I learn so much. I have been surprised by the way that a Cove Kids scripture or application affects me during the week after I’ve taught a grade school or preschool class. When I emcee, I try my best to memorize the kids’ verse with coordinating hand motions and lead it from the front two or three times aloud. I have memorized quite a few verses that way.
TALENTS AND FINANCIAL GIFTS TO BLESS OTHERS
We all have various talents. I can follow the beat of the music and dance. So, today I serve in an all-girls, free, dance ministry. My husband builds things. This year he quietly built a boat prop for us; the dance class painted, carried, lifted, performed with, and loved that boat. I’m good at budgeting and I don’t mind living simply so we have enough to regularly help others financially. This month, I’m headed to South Africa with a team from The Cove Church to visit a girl we have sponsored for ten years. We are bringing her a laptop, art supplies, and a few other little things. However, the gifts I’m delivering are nothing compared to the joy of meeting her and being a part of her story. What talents do you have, and how can you use those to grow God’s kingdom?
JESUS SAID
While Jesus’ words “It is more blessed to give than receive” are recorded in Acts and not in the gospels, the gospels record Jesus teaching the principle of giving – in fact, His whole life was a generous act – a gift – which God offers to us for His own pleasure and our salvation. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16a, ESV). Giving to us makes God glad. “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38, NIV).
Make It Personal: How are you using your talents, hidden, visible, old and new? In what ways have you learned that it is more blessed to give than receive? Search your heart for holdouts. Mine include wondering whether the people who receive are worthy, appreciative, and responsible. What does God have to say to you about your own reservations regarding generosity with your time, talents and financial resources? Let’s turn them over to Him in prayer.
Pray: Father God, You have given me more than I could ever offer. You lead well in every area, and especially in giving extravagantly. I can’t fathom offering my own son as a gift to anyone for anything. Help me to become more like You so that, when I do give my time, my talents, and my financial resources, it will become clear that in giving I’m receiving. In becoming more holy, I am growing closer to You. Your promises are always true, even when I don’t understand them. Even when I see others snatching for gifts, help me to give. Even when I’m concerned about the motives of a person in ministry or a person in need, help me to trust You and listen for Your voice. Today, help me to give generously and to recognize the truth that it IS more blessed to give. By Your power and Your Name. Amen.
Read: Proverbs 19:17; Hebrews 13:16; Luke 6:32-38
Weekly Memory Verse: “...for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” 1 Timothy 6:7, ESV