A Divine Paradox
Many people are trying to figure out how they can receive as much as possible. They try to win contests. They play the lottery. They look for the best sales on what they want. All the while, they are trying to accumulate as much as they can and then retire. Often, all of this leads to frustration. They do not get what they want, and what they get is not enough to satisfy them. We all need to learn the divine paradox about receiving. Jesus told us that we receive when we give. In fact, we receive in direct proportion to the amount we give.(Luke 6:38) It may sound crazy, but it is true. Let me explain why.
God created everything, and He owns everything. We do not really own anything, we are just managers of what He has given us. He gives us more based on how we handle what He has given us. God is a giving God. He expects us to give of what He has given us to meet the needs of others. Of course, the first 10% belongs to the Lord; we call it a tithe. If we do not give that to Him through the church, we are robbing God. He will not bless a thief. Then, when we give of our time, talents, energy, and money, He gives back to us in an equal measure. Now, keep in mind, we can't just give so we will receive. That would be manipulating God. He knows our motives, and He does not bless greed and selfishness. He does give back to us, when we give out of love and obedience to His will, and the more we give away, the more He gives to us. Think of it as being a conduit for God's resources to reach others.
I know this is a paradox, something that seems to be contradictory, but it is not a contradiction. That is how God works. He will work it out, even if we do not understand it. If we try to hoard what we have, we will lose it. If we give, He will give to us. He doesn't promise to make us rich, but He will meet our needs and bless us abundantly, when we live a life of giving.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 9-11.
God created everything, and He owns everything. We do not really own anything, we are just managers of what He has given us. He gives us more based on how we handle what He has given us. God is a giving God. He expects us to give of what He has given us to meet the needs of others. Of course, the first 10% belongs to the Lord; we call it a tithe. If we do not give that to Him through the church, we are robbing God. He will not bless a thief. Then, when we give of our time, talents, energy, and money, He gives back to us in an equal measure. Now, keep in mind, we can't just give so we will receive. That would be manipulating God. He knows our motives, and He does not bless greed and selfishness. He does give back to us, when we give out of love and obedience to His will, and the more we give away, the more He gives to us. Think of it as being a conduit for God's resources to reach others.
I know this is a paradox, something that seems to be contradictory, but it is not a contradiction. That is how God works. He will work it out, even if we do not understand it. If we try to hoard what we have, we will lose it. If we give, He will give to us. He doesn't promise to make us rich, but He will meet our needs and bless us abundantly, when we live a life of giving.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 9-11.