The Power to Give
TEXT:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:7-12).
The boy was excited to share the news: he was chosen to represent his high school and his state at the young leaders’ conference in Washington D.C. It was a high honor, but it came with a price. He would be responsible for paying his own travel expenses. Being the child of two Lutheran school teachers, any expense would be too much, let alone the estimated price tag for a week in D.C.
He tried to hide his disappointment when his parents shared the concern about cost. Grandpa was consulted. Grandpa was excited for his grandson but couldn’t fund the entire trip. He did offer to send his grandson a gold coin, however. It was something Grandpa held on to for his own retirement. The coin could be sold for over half of the estimated cost. Grandpa sent the coin.
Mom and Dad got together and ran their own calculations. Mom emptied her “rainy day emergency” fund, and Dad cashed in all his coins. With some creative financing and some imaginative meal planning, the joyful news was shared: you can go to Washington D.C.! Smiles, shouts of joy, and good feelings, however, gave way to a sense of frustration when a letter arrived stating the dress code requirements: ties and jackets must be worn at all times. That meant a collared shirt. Fortunately, the boy’s other Grandpa heard of the predicament and knew he could help. Soon a package arrived containing three of his old suits, along with matching shirts and ties. Grandma was able to tailor the suits to fit and reflect the latest style.
The boy smiled, Mom and Dad held back the tears as he boarded the bus for Washington D.C.
That was giving.
Giving starts the day their first child is born. When parents hear their baby’s first cry, they drop everything in order to provide what the child needs: food, comfort, a changing, digestive relief, or just their company. From that first cry forward, parents bend over backwards to give to their child. Parents will sacrifice, save, and do most everything in their power to meet not only their children’s needs—but most of their wants.
Can you remember a time when you really wanted something and your parents had to sacrifice to provide it?
Can you remember a time when you really wanted something and your parents were not able to provide it, or even refused it?
As you look back, what had the most effect on your life—that which was desired and given, or that which was not provided?
Is there a time when the best gift to give your child is not to give them what they ask for?
What are the gifts your Heavenly Father gives you?
How does His gift of eternal life help us as we give away that which is entrusted to us?
“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
Can you think of a person who continues to give, even when it appears there is nothing left to give?
Are there times in your life when you were able to give, even when it appeared there was nothing to give?
“Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.'
Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?'
“The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me' (Matthew 25:34-40).
This parable speaks to the gifts we give, which is not always money, but can be food, drink, a welcoming attitude, clothes, taking time to visit, acceptance, and the like.
Which is easier to gifts to: friends, family, church, or strangers?
Sometimes we give things but withhold our heart. Is it important the gift we give is “from the heart”?
God gives to us daily. He gives us all we need for life and so much more. He even gives us the best gift of all—eternal life in His presence.
Can we ever out-give God? Even when it appears He has taken away all that we need, does He still give us gifts?
Is it possible we are the ones God uses to provide for others?
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You open Your hands and freely give us all we need for this life. Thank You. You also give us food, clothing, home, friends, family, and not only what we need for life, but most of what we want. Thank You. Through the gift of Your Son, our Redeemer, You have given us eternal life—not by our works, but by His. For this love, we praise You. Heavenly Father, thank You for making us stewards of Your good gifts. Help us always to see how we can best use them for Your glory. Help us discern when it’s best for us to give away to others what You have given us—and make us ready to do so. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:7-12).
The boy was excited to share the news: he was chosen to represent his high school and his state at the young leaders’ conference in Washington D.C. It was a high honor, but it came with a price. He would be responsible for paying his own travel expenses. Being the child of two Lutheran school teachers, any expense would be too much, let alone the estimated price tag for a week in D.C.
He tried to hide his disappointment when his parents shared the concern about cost. Grandpa was consulted. Grandpa was excited for his grandson but couldn’t fund the entire trip. He did offer to send his grandson a gold coin, however. It was something Grandpa held on to for his own retirement. The coin could be sold for over half of the estimated cost. Grandpa sent the coin.
Mom and Dad got together and ran their own calculations. Mom emptied her “rainy day emergency” fund, and Dad cashed in all his coins. With some creative financing and some imaginative meal planning, the joyful news was shared: you can go to Washington D.C.! Smiles, shouts of joy, and good feelings, however, gave way to a sense of frustration when a letter arrived stating the dress code requirements: ties and jackets must be worn at all times. That meant a collared shirt. Fortunately, the boy’s other Grandpa heard of the predicament and knew he could help. Soon a package arrived containing three of his old suits, along with matching shirts and ties. Grandma was able to tailor the suits to fit and reflect the latest style.
The boy smiled, Mom and Dad held back the tears as he boarded the bus for Washington D.C.
That was giving.
Giving starts the day their first child is born. When parents hear their baby’s first cry, they drop everything in order to provide what the child needs: food, comfort, a changing, digestive relief, or just their company. From that first cry forward, parents bend over backwards to give to their child. Parents will sacrifice, save, and do most everything in their power to meet not only their children’s needs—but most of their wants.
Can you remember a time when you really wanted something and your parents had to sacrifice to provide it?
Can you remember a time when you really wanted something and your parents were not able to provide it, or even refused it?
As you look back, what had the most effect on your life—that which was desired and given, or that which was not provided?
Is there a time when the best gift to give your child is not to give them what they ask for?
What are the gifts your Heavenly Father gives you?
How does His gift of eternal life help us as we give away that which is entrusted to us?
“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
Can you think of a person who continues to give, even when it appears there is nothing left to give?
Are there times in your life when you were able to give, even when it appeared there was nothing to give?
“Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.'
Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?'
“The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me' (Matthew 25:34-40).
This parable speaks to the gifts we give, which is not always money, but can be food, drink, a welcoming attitude, clothes, taking time to visit, acceptance, and the like.
Which is easier to gifts to: friends, family, church, or strangers?
Sometimes we give things but withhold our heart. Is it important the gift we give is “from the heart”?
God gives to us daily. He gives us all we need for life and so much more. He even gives us the best gift of all—eternal life in His presence.
Can we ever out-give God? Even when it appears He has taken away all that we need, does He still give us gifts?
Is it possible we are the ones God uses to provide for others?
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You open Your hands and freely give us all we need for this life. Thank You. You also give us food, clothing, home, friends, family, and not only what we need for life, but most of what we want. Thank You. Through the gift of Your Son, our Redeemer, You have given us eternal life—not by our works, but by His. For this love, we praise You. Heavenly Father, thank You for making us stewards of Your good gifts. Help us always to see how we can best use them for Your glory. Help us discern when it’s best for us to give away to others what You have given us—and make us ready to do so. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
