Give It Up

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”  Proverbs 11:24

There is a mysterious law at work in the Kingdom of God. It is a truth that cannot be experienced without a willingness to risk. It requires stepping out of the safety of our boats onto the water like the Apostle Peter did all those years ago. It will never be fully enjoyed from our comfort zones. The law at work is this: When I bless others I receive the greatest blessing.

Despite how some have twisted God’s words, this is not a promise to get rich quick. It is, however, a promise of eternal riches. When we choose to give up what we cannot keep, we gain what can never be lost. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.” I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather receive my reward from God than from man.

To give freely involves risk. Sometimes it may mean giving your tithes and offerings when the numbers don’t add up on paper. Or maybe it means selflessly giving of yourself for the sake of God’s glory in the life of someone who isn’t easy to love…someone who is ungrateful or even hateful. Maybe you must give your forgiveness to someone who isn’t even sorry. Perhaps it is stepping out in faith to go to a faraway land on mission for a short time…or even indefinitely.

Giving takes on all shapes and sizes. The bottom line is to offer up to God what belongs to Him – and that is everything. He is worthy of it all. It is then that you will see the law of God’s Kingdom at work. What in the beginning may feel like sacrifice is replaced with unimaginable peace, joy, and love from the Father. And the more we give, the more we receive.

Try it. I promise it works every time!

Dear God, show me how to give freely to You today. Help me to learn that giving to You is the right choice every time. In Jesus’ name, amen.