Give/Love

Author: Zack Harris

Acts 2:44-45 (ESV)—And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Who really wants to talk about giving? I think we can agree: absolutely no one. We work hard for our wealth, and we, too, have needs. What’s the deal with having to give it away?

We aren’t just talking money, either. Generosity comes in the form of giving our time and talents, too. The giving of ourselves to others. That’s an uncomfortable thought as well.

As we see in the last verses of Acts 2, all those who believed in Jesus were together and had all things in common. They were selling their possessions and giving out the proceeds to those in need. Notice one key thing: they did this willingly. No one told them to sell their stuff and give it away. They were unified in Jesus and desired to help one another.

Again, there’s more to giving than just money, but that passage in Acts is meant to demonstrate the heart of a Christian. God willingly gave us salvation through His son, Jesus (John 3:16), and we are called to be like Him (Ephesians 5:1-2). So, what does that mean? We are to be freely and lovingly generous!

You’ll see that giving and love are ultimately tied together. As we grow in Jesus, our love for others should grow as well. How do we respond to that? You guessed it: giving. Yes, we are to give to the church (Romans 12:13) so it can continue its mission, but we are also called to personally reach out to those in need (James 2:15-16).

What should be addressed is one of the most vital aspects of generosity. Giving should come from a place of thanksgiving. It should be done joyfully. If you aren’t giving with a cheerful heart, you’re doing it wrong (Deuteronomy 15:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). That’s not to say you have to be doing cartwheels as you give the church your tithe or deliver food to needy families. Still, you must go into it, not out of obligation but with earnest desire.

In Acts 5, we see a couple who decides to go against what the others are doing. They hold back what they received from selling their possessions but still act like they are giving everything. Peter knows this and calls them out for their deceit and greed. God strikes them both down that day. Thankfully, we won’t be killed for the occasional times we lie or hold back our generosity, but it is an extreme example of how serious giving is to God. Again, it is to be done with honesty and love.

We shouldn’t go into it expecting something in return, but God does promise that we will be taken care of and, even sometimes, rewarded (Proverbs 3:9–10, Luke 6:38, 1 Timothy 6:17–19).

Don’t let pride step in, either. Occasionally, you will be the recipient of generosity. Accept it. We struggle just like those around us. God will use someone to reach out to you, just like you reached out to them.

Just like God’s greatest gift, our giving is an act of love. It is an act of sacrifice. Write that on your heart. Never again think of it as a burden but as a way to show this world the love of God.

Reflection

Have you ever been asked by God to give more than what you are comfortable with?

If not, how can you prepare for when the time comes?