This Devotion is in honor of my Nephew, Christopher Pearce. He exemplified all these traits. He was a giver!
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10
The Bible is full of scripture on how we should treat others. If we are serious about following Christ, we need to heed these instructions “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” -Jesus
Christmas is a time when most people choose to bless others. Giving is usually amped up around the holidays.
The Bible encourages us to be generous with others.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
All that we as Christian believe about giving, must begin with the truth that giving is an act of grace.
When Paul speaks of the “grace” given, he means that as they had received the grace of God, so now that same grace motivated them to give!
They received grace.
They gave grace.
Freely you receive.
Freely you give.
Freely you have received; freely give.
(Matthew 10:8)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-5
Christ said that you should “let your light so shine” so that others will want come unto Him.
Don’t be like a human fire extinguisher putting out any light that might be burning faintly within others.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38
Giving takes the focus off ourselves and puts it onto someone else. Giving also becomes a tangible way that we can express God’s love to other’s.
Let’s always remember that the World is watching us, and how we treat each other is a big part of how they view Christ.
Giving is all about putting love into action!
Merry Christmas,
Connie