Think of all the things you have. How blessed you are right now. Do you realize that God has given you everything? What will you give in return? God has blessed you with all your talents, skills, possessions, spiritual gifts, and finances. Use them to honor Him. Did you know that He is testing you? To see what you will do with them. Will you give back to God by helping and giving to those around you? Will you support those who have the greatest need?
For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27
Understand that enjoying life and the gifts you have is ok. But it is much more important in God’s eyes that you give what you have to the needy and not satisfy your flesh. There is a reason and a responsibility that comes with God’s gifts to His children.
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him, much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Luke 12:48b
Do not waste those great gifted God has given to you only on yourself or on trivial pursuits. On those things that have temporal value. Use what God has given you for the Lord’s work. Sow with eternity in mind to help the lives of others. Help the weak, depressed, lonely, brokenhearted, homeless, helpless, hungry, thirsty, the stranger, those in prison, naked, and destitute. Many of them have no one to love them. They need your support. They need to hear about the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
God has given you such great gifts, don’t hide them. Please don’t keep them to yourself. God did not bless you with the things of this world for your profit. They are for the strengthening and helping of His people, for the lost and broken of this world. They are to show them the sacrificial love of Christ through your presentation of love and sacrifice.
But don’t worry that you will give too much. When you give to God, it is impossible to “give too much.” Think of a farmer. What he sows in the ground, he will reap in abundance. So likewise, you will reap what you sow for the Kingdom of God in Heavenly rewards. Just as a single seed of corn can reap a thousand, the seeds you sow helping others can multiply your return.
It is better to give all you have away for the planting of the kingdom of God on this earth and live like a pauper for the sake of Jesus, receiving great rewards in Heaven that will outshine all the world’s wealth. Then, live like a king on earth and keep what you have to yourself and receive nothing in return. Even worse is waking up the day you die and finding that your reward is Hell because that is what you earn from living for yourself.
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me. For he who is least among you, all is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48
So the question I pose is, what will you give, and how much are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus? How much do you want to reap in Heaven? How much do you want to do for the King of Glory? He who chose you and saved your very soul.
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
Will it only be a handful, keeping the rest for yourself, or not even that? Or are you going to live radically for Jesus in the eyes of man? Will you give much more than others? Are you willing to obey His call and give? So, when the Lord speaks your name to the host above, all Heaven will burst into joy, singing, and rejoicing. Because you were known for your selfless sacrifice, giving so that not only you would receive a bountiful harvest of righteousness but also to those you gave.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you welcomed me; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:31-40
The Soul Sower 