Giving is Receiving

The hardest thing for most of us is “GIVING”. Vow! But we give, and give away those things we don’t need any more; and things that are junk, old, used and to our own clan and community, if this giving brings us name, fame and recognition.

Jesus’ taught with authority saying, “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and if him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” (Luk.6:30)

Only! those men and women who are revolutionized by the same Spirit of Jesus Christ will be able to say Amen! to this teaching of Jesus. Carnality of human heart always expects, receives and has an attitude of possessiveness.

Jesus, taught again,” Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mate withal it shall be measured to you again.( Lk.6:3

What a wonderful blessing! It is then to give. GIVING IS RECEIVING.

As the writer of this admonition, Molly, my children and I gave our every thing to people in need, we give to missions other than ours, we give to poor pastors and even to strangers. And we are grateful to God for this opportunity, because this is a Ministry in itself. We are not rich people. We do not have a house of our own, we do not have property. Our bank balance always remains below Indian Rupees 500. And on the other hand I will not be able to list out the abundance of blessings we receive from Him every day!

Jesus was not talking about giving tithe to the church her. Ecclesia was not formed till the Pentecost. He was purely talking about Alms to the needy. It is mandatory to give to God what belongs to Him and it is right to give to the Government and it is our duty to give to missions. But above all these things, giving alms to the poor and needy is taught vehemently in many other passages of Scriptures.

Give love, where there is love. Be a peace maker where there is no peace. Be a Good Samaritan where there is a wounded. Travel the 2nd mile with those who struggle in life’s journey even in their 1st mile. Quench the thirst of those who lack water. Cloth the naked. Weep with those who weep. Uplift those who are downtrodden. Take in, those who are forsaken. Release those who are chained. Let me remind you to measure these things, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.

And You will receive back in abundance.

In third world missions, new Christians always find it uncomfortable with big churches, because these poor Christians who came through fiery trails and persecutions are treated as 2nd class or 3rd class citizens. It is very easy to tell, “Pray with faith and the Lord will provide”. It is a hypocritical hiding from the responsibilities. When Palu the Apostle planted churches, by preaching, fasting and praying, he never received funds or materials from angels or from the hands of the Lord directly; but from the hands of new Christians. Thus he made it a special mission to raise funds from rich churches and distributed it to the less privileged churches.

Again I remind you,” Give and you shall Receive”.

Amen!

Rev.Dass.T

Director

Bethel-India