Giving and Blessing

(breakout groups doing there thing!)

I believe Christians should be known as the "biggest givers" on earth. You don't have to be "rich" or "wealthy" to be a giving person. Certainly we can bless people with things money can buy but some of the biggest blessings are the things we bless others with that money can't buy. What about the person you see that needs a word of encouragement during the day, an encouraging, call, letter, or email? What about helping someone with a weekend project or offering to babysit their kids? "For God so loved the world He gave..." Jesus gave His very best for us so we as Christians have no excuse not to give and to be a blessing to others around us.

We live in a world that is only interested in "me and mine" and looking after "number 1". The Bible talks about in the last days people being "lovers of themselves." The Bible says in Ephesians 5:5 that“You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.”

Proverbs 1:19 says,“Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.”

In Colossians we read “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality,impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.”

So how do we fight greed, selfishness, and our own self-interests? How do we guard our heart from the love of money? With being content with what we have and with giving.

Heb 13:5 (RSV) "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have."

The Bible says in II. Cor. 9:7, “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

“Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!” (Proverbs 21:26)

The Bible also says in Acts that it is "Better to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

We experience no greater joy than when we go out and bless somebody and when we do it-secretly."

I've challenged our students to do just that this week!