Do you have a giving heart?
2nd in a 3 part series
By: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
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In the previous message we learned that all we have came from God. All things belong to God and we are his stewards on earth. A steward is one who manages and distributes that which belongs to another.
In our world you will hear it said that "What goes Around, Comes Around". Do you know that this is actually a LAW that God gave to us? It is supported in the Bible.

Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Psalms 41:1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.}
Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

You see, if we are stewards of all that God provides for us; it is our calling and indeed our Christian duty to give as we are called to His service. God will provide all that we need and will do so in abundance. If God makes you aware of someone who is facing a need to assist or correct a deficiency in their life it is your duty as a Christian to help this person in their time of need. The act on your part will not go unrewarded in Gods blessing.

Be warned that the act of your giving is not to allow you to receive a blessing or reward. It is to be a selfless act of giving; without thought of repayment. How can you expect to be repaid for giving something which was God's to begin with? Faith in God and His Laws is the principle here. Give because of your love and concern for your fellow man be he saved or not. Your action may help to bring this person to the Body of Christ.

Matthew 6:1-4
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Be of a giving heart for as you give so it shall be given unto you. This message is very important because if we are stingy or give our second best ... that is the measure of how we will receive. The golden rule says "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." or "What goes around, Comes around" Do you see how we cheat both ourselves and God's will if we withhold in our giving to others?

2 Corinthians 9:7-9
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

This is the first part of the Law of sowing and reaping. Give to your fellow man in his time of need. It is a Christian obligation. We must learn to do so with a giving heart. It is a commitment to our Faith as Christians.

Acts 20:35
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man [shall give] as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Can you see that the very act of selfless giving is a God given law? To give without expectation of repayment or reward? It is a Biblical Law which is the first part of the Law of Sowing and Reaping. This is one of the most powerful Laws that are given to us to use in the service of our ministry for Christ. It is a Law meant to uplift our fellow man to a position of strength so that he might join in the work of our Lord. Your selfless act will have an impact on the heart of this individual.

Remember, You are only a steward of God's belongings. He wishes you to give them out as you are called to do so. Under His Law you will be blessed for this selfless act. The more you will follow God's Laws the more you will be blessed. It shows God your level of Devotion and faith. God will only show the Revelation of the Word according to your level of Faith. He KNOWS the condition of your heart.

Now ask yourself the question:
Do you have a GIVING Heart?

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Written by: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
Senior Pastor / Administrator - UCMI