Giving is one of the keys of the Kingdom of God. The account of Matthew showing the teachings of Christ shows how He discusses giving, along with praying and fasting in Chapter 6. He was teaching these subjects and revealing the right attitudes and heart-position we should have to do these things to get the results God wants us to get. So many realise the importance of praying and fasting especially in dire circumstances but fail to see the role of giving in such circumstances. In Luke 6:38, we read "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." This giving includes forgiving, not judging, not speaking evil of others, etc. Whatever you give will be given back to you. Seedtime and harvest shall not cease says God Himself in Gen. 8:22. As I grew in my understanding of God"s ways, purposes and plans, I realised that the goal of our Christian faith is not just to be blessed, important as that is, I realised it includes being conformed to the image of the Son as recorded in Romans 8:29. We please the Father when we allow His Son"s image to be formed in us. We were made in His image and the Son is the express image as recorded in Hebrews 1:3. This talks of Character and power as the Son manifested. At the water of baptism the Father was pleased before the Son had done any miracle. So Character is premium with God. Apostle Paul told Timothy to commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2) Faithfulness is the cornerstone of character. If Giving runs through the Bible and faithfulness is a cornerstone for our development; giving has something to do with our character development.
Wisdom Key: Whatever you give will be given back to you.
MemoryVerse: "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
Personal Application: Giving is a Kingdom principle. Not just giving of our substance, but of our time, our talents, etc. As Christians it is vital for us to give, not just when things are going well for us but through every circumstance and situation we face. Remember, whatever measure we deal out is what is going to be measured back to us.
