Learning the Principle of Giving Your Time, Talents and Treasure
By: David McFadden “Let’s Make Disciples Together”
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
My study of this topic began by searching for these words in the Bible: give, gives, giving and gifts, using the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. I was astonished by the number of references that tell of God’s relentless love towards His people, and how He gives us everything we need to live a victorious life with exceeding joy, so that “they may experience true life.”
When we become His at our profession of faith, He imparts His character to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit that comes to reside in us. When this happens to you, your polarity changes 180 degrees because you take on His nature. This process of change is enhanced when you are water baptized and leave your “old man” in the watery grave where your sinful nature is cut away through spiritual circumcision of the heart. Colossians 2:11-12 tells us, “When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” My point is that through your new birth His attributes are imparted to you, especially His giving nature.
Our obedience and giving are tied together, and both must be carried out by the unction of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because obedience and giving are only eternally fruitful when done by the leading of the Holy Spirit. That being said, we have examples from Scripture when giving is not debatable.
For instance, we have our opening text from Timothy. We are given instructions in the Bible to take care of the poor, orphans and widows. We are given illustrations to prompt us to give sacrificially, such as the story of the widow’s mite.
We are “strongly invited” to bring our tithes into the storehouse that includes a dramatic promise of blessing.
Moreover, in the early church, there are many mentions of believers sharing one another’s burdens, so that no one goes without. When we have a “live to give” heart attitude, God is pleased and will supply the resources we need to be joyfully obedient. But even better than that, He is going to use your obedience to produce good fruit that will last for eternity.
There are also opportunities to give beyond direct references of Scripture. However, in our desire to help, whether family, friends or a stranger, we must use careful discernment because our concern and empathetic emotions can mislead us. Without prayerful discernment we will often lean to our own understanding where we sometimes create a mess rather than help. A Christian philanthropist said that the most difficult part of helping people in distress is to not get between the person and God. In other words, God may be trying to work a truth in the person’s life, possibly through a hardship, and by stepping in to solve the difficulty, the philanthropist could prevent that growth from happening.
Personally, I can name several times in my life that if someone had stepped in and bailed me out, it would have kept me from depending on God to deliver me. In looking back, I am so thankful that I was forced to lean on God. And because I was not “rescued,” I can resolutely testify that God is my provider no matter the circumstance I may face.
“Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” Matthew 10:7-8
Lastly, and most importantly, we have opportunities to participate in genuine, fruitful giving where the results will last for all eternity. How? When we “give” the gospel message and share God’s love and His desire to save, heal and deliver.
Consider this true story from the Bible that illustrates this most important point: The Apostles’ Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon and walked by a man lame from birth who was sitting by the Temple gate. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. —Paraphrased from Acts 3:1-8
In this story, Jesus healed a lame man of His day, but Jesus tells us that “we will do even greater works than this,” and it involves giving our time, talents and treasure! When you give God’s living Word to a person and they begin to walk in it, you have accomplished the greater works that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12-13, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Redemption, deliverance and reconciliation is God’s gift to us, and we get to give it to others. Salvation is the greatest gift of all!
Prayer of Transformation:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a victorious life with exceeding joy that I can share with others. Thank You for Your Word that is rich with opportunities to give. Thank You for changing my polarity from being a taker to being a giver by imparting Your giving nature to me. Thank You for giving me new life because I “trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” LORD, help me be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that I obey You when You prompt me to give, knowing that You have something special You want to accomplish. Help me joyfully give, knowing that You will supply the resources I need according to Your riches in glory. LORD, Help me obtain the high calling of living to give, especially looking for opportunities to produce good fruit that will last for eternity. Help me recognize when I can “give” the gospel message and to share God’s love and His desire to save, heal and deliver. Silver and gold pales in comparison to the eternal treasures You have laid up for those who walk in Your ways and extend Your kingdom. I want to do the greater works that Jesus desires that I do, so help me bring redemption, deliverance and reconciliation to the people I know and meet. I treasure Your gift of eternal life, so help me extend Your salvation to others—the greatest gift of all! I ask these requests and give my praises to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Get David McFadden’s book at Amazon.com by clicking here: Prayer by the Book: How to Pray Effectively: McFadden, David E: 9798366677516: Amazon.com: Books
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