Created to be a Giver
In Matthew 6, Jesus asks, "Why would you store things up here where they will eventually fade away when you could store things in heaven that will last for eternity?"
Jesus' words revolutionize our work perspective. When God made man, He made him for more than chasing after the worldly pursuits of money and possessions; He made him to both provide and give...like He, Himself, did in creation and continues to do each day. God uses His possessions to provide for and bless us. Being made in His image, He intends for us to do the same.
God's word calls us to steward our resources wisely, to be givers, and to bless others. Consider the following:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." – Matthew 6:19-20"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." – 1 Timothy 5:8
"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need." – Ephesians 4:28
“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be... You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake." – Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 10
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." – Proverbs 3:9-10
"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." – 1 Timothy 6:18-19
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." – Proverbs 11:24-25
This article is an excerpt from 33 The Series Volume 4: A Man and His Work.
View Session 1 of A Man and His Work.
