The Joy of Giving- 7 reasons why giving brings you Joy
God has a way of connecting the dots. “Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered: “Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme (a plan of action to follow) of things— (Prov 7:27)
Adding. One thing. To. Another. God gives us a plan of action for joy.
In this advent season study the parting words of Paul to the Ephesians elders (Acts 20) and you might be reminded of the bold charge the apostle makes on Christian leaders in his ending summation, “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.”
More divine favor rests upon us when we give than when we get and here are 7 reasons to reminds us why that is true.
- Giving draws me closer to God. Matthew 6:21
If you want to care more deeply about something, give to that cause.
Money is a magnet of the heart. Put your money first where you want your heart concerned and your devotion will be drawn toward it. It sounds backwards but if you give first, your heart will follow. It’s a pattern of giving Christ outlines this way, “For where your treasure is, your heart will follow.”
Want to increase your concern and affection to a cause, give to it.
- Giving breaks the grip of materialism. Matt 6:24
The definition of materialism is to overvalue material things. We like stuff. And most of us are caught up in a cycle of the world’s kind of joy called ENJOYMENT. We are too easily satisfied by stuff, until it loses its flavor and then we’re back out there buying the next thing we want to enjoy. We need to practice believing a simple truth. Our net worth of stuff does not equal our self-worth in Christ. To break the cycle of get, get, get and more, more, more we have to give, give, give. Giving is an eternal joy and it can become a new and improved enjoyment as you see the value of others instead of the value of stuff.
- Giving strengthens my faith. 2 Cor 9:8
Too many of us are full of ourselves. We’re self sufficient and secure in our ability to provide what we need. We live by sight and its short sighted.
Giving creates space for God to show up.
When we tithe first and give sacrificially, we give God room to show up and show off in our financial lives. Is God more powerful than money? Do you act on it by giving God room to bless you as you bless others?
- Giving promotes God’s sanctification. Luke 18:22
Giving not only promotes God’s work through us but also God’s work in us—our sanctification. Giving sets us apart. Especially when it’s sacrificial. It pains us because it comes at a cost to us and requires self denial.
Every act of giving breaks our sinful and selfish nature and allows more of God’s grace to spread in our heart.
Money leaves our pocket but sin also leaves our hearts. That’s a priceless exchange. Giving helps us keep growing up in Christ.
- Giving secures an investment for eternity. 1 Tim 6:18-19
You can’t take it with you. There are no pockets in funeral clothes and no UHauls behind the Hurst. We can’t take material things with us to heaven but we can send treasure on ahead.
How we use our time, treasure and talents for God’s honor and glory is storing up for us eternal treasures in heaven.
- Giving blesses you in return 2 Cor 9:11
We all like rewards. And there is a certain payoff when we give. Don’t you just feel better when you do something nice. You open a door for someone and it just feels good. You give to a worthy cause and get a letter back from the child you helped, it feels good.
Giving cheerfully brings a smile to God’s face too.
And there’s that added bonus, when we give there is that responsive ‘thank you’. God is glorified.
- Giving reflects Christ sacrifice for me Rom 12:1
“I appeal to you brothers, in view of God’s mercy…” Need motivation to give, look to the cross. It is the view we should always remember. Calvary that place where wrath and mercy meet and Christ took on one to give us the other through his perfect sacrifice.
In view of this great gift we should live to imitate it and be givers like Christ.
“for the joy that was set before him He endured the cross,” (Heb 12:2)
There is a Joy set before us.
An invitation to enjoy this holiday like never before.
A call to work in this way and be blessed.
Give.
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