Wise Investments

Giving and receiving 

"Give, and it shall be given unto you." Luke 6:38 KJV 

Many of us want to give to people we love and causes we believe in. But fear stops us. We’re afraid that if we give, we might not have enough left for ourselves. So instead of sowing, we hoard our seed and miss the harvest God promised us. Why? Because on some deeper level we wonder if God would actually bless someone like us. 

Jesus said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; a good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." If a bank promised that kind of return on your investment you’d beat a path to its door, right? But banks can fail and bankers can’t always be trusted, whereas God has never broken a promise! Here’s an important Bible truth: when you open your hand to God, He opens His hand to you. And God has a bigger hand! 

But as well as learning how to give, you must learn how to receive. Jesus said, "A good measure...will be poured into your lap" (NIV). When God gives back to you, He often does it through people. All kinds of people! So don’t let pride or prejudice stop you from receiving from others, because God wants to give them a harvest on the seeds they sow into your life. Don’t circumvent the harvest – yours or theirs. 

Never hesitate to give to a true servant of God. "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper" (2 Chronicles 20:20 NKJV). When God moves you to sow a seed, it’s because He has a harvest for you to reap. Don’t miss it! 

Prayer point:

Lord, help me to lose my fear, which stops me from being generous and reaching out to others. Please help me to see that I can be confident in Your provision, so I don’t have to conserve my resources. Help me to realize how much fun it can be to give to others, knowing that You, my Heavenly Father, will meet all my needs. Amen.