Give to Live!
Read
Luke 6:38, "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full - pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
Think
"We don't give to get, we get to give. And when we give, we live!" There is a level of excitement that we experience when we see the response to a gift given. We're reminded of the verse that says "it is better to give than to receive." The great thing about God's economy is that when we give, we also receive. In one action, we get to experience the joy of giving and the joy of receiving. And, the cycle repeats itself. What a great principle to live by! It's like riding a bike. The first push of the pedal is the hardest. But as you continue, it gets easier and easier. The cycle is started and the momentum carries you. Too many times we lose the opportunity to receive that blessing because we wrongly think it's ours to begin with and maintain a tight, close-fisted grip on what has been given to us. When we open our hands to give, we are opening our hands to receive as well. And it gives us the momentum and inspiration to do it again and again.
Act
Experience the joy of giving by performing an act of true generosity. What have you been close-fisted with? Open your hands and bless someone today.
Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for your generosity in my life. I know that I would have nothing without you giving it to me. Help me to be open-handed as I give it back to you. I look forward to enjoying even more of your blessings in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen!