THE BIBLE AND GIVING

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND GIVING

Devotional Text: Luke 6:38

INTRODUCTION:

Giving is the act of offering something to someone as a present. According to the BBC English Dictionary, “to give someone something means to hand it over to them or to provide them with it”. Biblically speaking, giving is a symbolic activity, since it conveys the concept of socio-spiritual exchange. To this end, it says, “gives and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom”... (vs. 38), which shows the profitability of giving, as it stands out as a seed sown for harvest.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Giving offers one the opportunity to sow for tomorrow’s harvest, (Luke 6:38)

(2)       Giving must be direct to GOD as an act of worship, for His works and services, (vs. 38)

(3)       Giving must be directed to GOD as an act of worship, for His works and services, (vs. 38)

(4)       Giving, whether to GOD or to human beings, is an act of service to GOD, which He rewards, (vs. 38)

GIVING FOR THE SERVICES OF THE LORD

The first focus on giving, is giving for the work of the LORD. In line with this ... “Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, this is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying: Take from among you an offering to the LORD, “whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as offering to the LORD: gold, silver and bronze” ... (EX.35:4-5). Then, everyone came, whose heart was stirred and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD”s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments, (vs. 21). Giving is one of the ways to work in the vineyard of the LORD, and one who gives for His services motivates the LORD to reciprocate such a gesture, which in turn brings abundant blessing in line with the Words of our LORD and Blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, which says, “give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap”... (Luke 6:38). This means that the LORD commands His blessing towards those who give for His work, as He, as well places the notice that the quantum of one’s giving will determine the quantum one receives in return, (vs.38c). By this, therefore, this lesson opines that:

(i)                    GOD requires His people to give for His work, (Ex. 35:4-21)

(ii)                  Giving is not only monetary (silver and gold), but also material, (vs. 4-21)

(iii)                 GOD gives back to those who give for His work and services, (Luke 6:38)

GIVING TO ASSIST OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS

The LORD GOD equally designed giving as a means of assistance to our fellow human begins. Thus, in social life, He instituted a holy festival that warrants the exchange of gifts which enables the people gather certain varieties which they may not ordinarily be able to acquire, (Est. 9:19). And, to the less-privileged, He also says, “He who is kind to the poor, lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done” (Prov. 19:17), as He as well makes it customary for farmers in Israel (and elsewhere) to allow certain left-over of their farm produce, as a way of giving to those who are in need, (Lev.19:9-10). All the above catalogue the principle of “give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your bosom”., and shows that “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38), which  again cites the benefits of giving. Based on the foregoing, this lesson biblically asserts that giving must also:

(i)                    Be directed to the poor and needy, (Prov. 19:17; Deu.24:19)

(ii)                  Serve as social exchange to enable people gather varieties of things they need, (Est. 9:19)

(iii)                 Be seen as a means of receiving God’s blessing, (Luke 6:38)

GIVING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIETY

Believers should learn to give for infrastructural and human development in society. According to the BBC English Dictionary, “the infrastructure of a country, society or organisation is the structure which help it to function effectively, such as the facilities, services and equipment that are provided”, as human beings in the aforementioned who need development are people who live within or around us, who have various developmental needs, and this, no doubt, informs the need for training, which requires facilities, (see Prov. 22:6). This, therefore, becomes a clarion call, urging the believer to always give for the provision of structures or equipment for human development or training in view of the biblical truth that the LORD will always bless him for what he gives, (Luke 6:38). In furtherance, God’s Word reveals that a certain centurion was outstanding in giving basic infrastructure for worship in Israel, which was appreciated by the people, and was rewarded by Jesus Christ our LORD and Blessed Saviour, by way of healing his servant (Luke 7:1-10), which in all shows that it is scripturally good to:

(i)                    Give for the provision of infrastructures for education and worship in society, (vs.5)

(ii)                  Help provide means for the development of the socio-spiritual life of the people, (vs.5)

(iii)                 Know that he LORD will always reward such gestures abundantly (Luke 6:38)

In conclusion,  please note that this lesson shows that giving should be to God, man and society, and that GOD rewards whatever one gives for His work and for the development of man and society (Luke 6:38), especially when it is given cheerfully (2 Cor.9:7) and willingly (Ex. 35:21). GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU!