datethewordtest

Tag: Give

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 7 (9/7) is 2 Corinthians 9:7

    “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly 
    or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
    The CHEERFUL Giver

    Every now and then we get a glimpse into what EXCITES God – what He loves! Here in 2 Cor. 9:7, we learn God loves a CHEERFUL giver. This description of God’s feelings regarding giving comes from the Apostle Paul who is encouraging a group of believers in Corinth to contribute to some suffering saints back in Jerusalem.  He wants them to be ready to present their contribution when he arrives.  However, he does not want them to give GRUDGINGLY or because of ARM TWISTING.  When one gives this way both resentment toward the one asking grows and regret within the giver grows. The Apostle Paul wants their giving to be genuine.  He tells them to PURPOSE in their hearts or MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION as to what they will give.  Rather than giving because of PRESSURE, they will be giving based on PURPOSE. He does not want grumbling, or complaining, and he definitely does not want them feeling like THEY HAVE TO BE a part of sharing with others in need.  For Paul, there should be joy in giving and helping others!  

    So, what is your attitude toward giving? Do you grumble as you give or is there cheerfulness as you contribute? Are you a purposeful, cheerful contributor to charities, the church, and other causes? 

    As well I would ask what is your plan for being a giver to God’s Work?  Have you prayerfully purposed in your heart to willingly and cheerfully give a portion of your income to the Lord and His work?   

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 7 (9/7) is 2 Corinthians 9:7. It says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

    What changes need to take place based on the teaching of 2 Corinthians 9:7?

    Continue Strong cheerfully contributing to God’s work!   
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 18 (6/18) is 1 Timothy 6:18

    “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, 
    ready to give, willing to share,” – 1 Timothy 6:18
    Action items for the RICH

    The Apostle Paul has several very pointed and direct words for the RICH. His very direct instructions come in the context of his teaching on true contentment. Knowing there is a restlessness to always be getting more as we are prone to believe money brings satisfaction and status, even security, Paul confronts this thinking by telling several ESSENTIAL MESSAGES to the rich and those who want to be rich.

    He tells the RICH to not be in love with money as it is the root of all kinds of evil.  (1 Tim. 6:10)

    He tells the RICH to stay humble.  (1 Timothy 6:17a)

    He tells the RICH to forget about TRUSTING in money as it is very unstable.  (1 Timothy 6:17b

    As he continues to instruct, he now tells the rich TO DO GOOD and to have a mindset of GIVING to others and SHARING with others at a moment’s notice.  (Ready to give) As one acquires the means to take care of oneself they also look to see how to help others on their journey.

    You make a living by what you get.  You make a life by what you give.  Winston Churchill 
     
    Do you have a good grip on your money or does money have a grip, maybe a strong, tight grip on you?  Are you more prone to generosity or to being greedy?  Are you prone to be stingy (holding tight for yourself) or to be a sower of your money (sharing with others as an investment)? 

    In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), we have those who were TAKERS, KEEPERS, and then a GIVER. The hero of the story is the one who said what is mine is mine but I am going to share it. 

    So, getting really personal, are you using your money for good? Are you looking for opportunities to invest in others?  Are you READY to SHARE?  Do you LIVE TO GIVE?

    Verse to DATE of June 18 (6/18) is 1 Timothy 6:18.  It says, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”

    Continue Strong blessing others as you have been blessed,
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus – from Pastor Johnny Hunt – “I have never missed anything that I gave away!”
  • Verse to DATE the Word on May 2 (5/2) is Ephesians 5:2

    Verse to DATE the Word on May 2 (5/2) is Ephesians 5:2

    “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering
    and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” – Ephesians 5:2
    To Be Like Jesus is to Love (and Forgive) like Jesus.

    Ephesians 5 starts with “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” Interestingly, this verse follows Ephesians 4:32 which says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”  Then following “be imitators of God,” comes our verse to DATE that says, “walk in love as Christ has loved us.”  You can see now why I have as my title To Be Like Jesus is to Love (and Forgive) like Jesus.  

    You may have heard that when looking at the characteristics that best describe Christians that two of the highest descriptions are GIVERS and FORGIVERS.  I like that description as it matches how Christ lived.  He was a GIVER as our verse tells us.  He loved us so much that He GAVE HIMSELF as an offering and a sacrifice.  He gave His life, dying on a cruel cross, for all humanity.

    He gave and He FORGAVE.  Today, as a believer your sins have been forgiven.  As a reminder of this as well as how it happened notice:
    1 John 2:12  I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.
    Colossian 2:13  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
    Ephesians 1:7  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

    The forgiveness came because He died and He died because He loved us – He loved you.  

    Now let us be very honest with ourselves and acknowledge it is easy to read about loving and forgiving like Jesus, but the reality is this may be the hardest actions (or shall I say REACTIONS) we take.  People are HARD TO LOVE.  Saints still sin and sometimes they sin against you. How are you going to RESPOND when a fellow saint sins against you?   I will let you ponder on that.

    As a reminder about loving people, I place before you the statement that the time a person needs love the most is when they deserve it the least.  I also remind you that LOVE does not keep a record of wrongs. (1 Cor. 13:5d NIV)

    I also remind you that “forgiveness is the glue that holds all relationships together.”   And the standard for extending forgiveness is to forgive as Jesus forgave.  

    Question: Was there any sin of yours that He did not forgive?  (You know the answer is none.)
    Question: If He forgave any and all types of your sins, what sin(s) against you do you not have to forgive? (Told you this is hard)

    If we are to live and act like Jesus, then we are going to be extending forgiveness.  And our forgiveness will be extended because we are loving like Jesus. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on May 2 (5/2) is Ephesians 5:2. It says, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

    Show them Jesus by loving and forgiving them!

    Continue Strong living like Him,
    And remember to DATE the Word