Make Your Giving Count

(Source: www.orble.com)

Giving... Giving... Giving... A term many Christians might deliberately avoid. Pretend to not hear it in the sermon, pretend to not see a person in need. What if, one day God just take whatever you have and no one helped you when you are in need? That could be just the end of the world for you.

So, let's learn to give, and not just giving, but giving out of our heart. Yes, some might develop a habit to give, unwillingly. But let's change it. Learn to give willingly. There is no need to worry, about what would you have left after you give. Because God is definitely good to a giver.

For years, I've been living on one principle of giving: "Give me God, then I'll give to someone else."

But seems like God's principle is total opposite: "Give, and I will give to you."

"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed. and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9 : 10 - 11

See the verse? There is no need to worry about supply-shortage. In fact, when we give; God will supply us, increase what we have and enlarge our territory. The best part is, we are giving thanks to God at the same time.

Let's make our giving count! Give with a willing heart, and take the worrying part away.

Over Argument & Hostility

Isaac's servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water. But then the shepherds from Gerar came and up and claimed the spring. "This is our water," they said, and they argued over it with Isaac's herdsmen. So Isaac named the well Esek (which means "argument"). Isaac's men the dug another well, but again there was a dispute over it. So Isaac named it Sitnah (which means "hostility"). - Gen 26 : 19 -21

The story happened as Isaac grew more and more powerful that the Philistines have to send to him away, despite their promises with his father, Abraham. So Isaac takes on a journey, settled in Gerar Valley, thus he asked his servant to dug a well. Twice he was confronted; people living there begin to argue with him over what he had found.

Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means "open space"), for he said, "At last the LORD has created enough space for us to prosper in this land." - Gen 26 : 22

Sometimes, maybe most of the times in our lives, aren't we confronted with argument and hostility? What can we learn from Isaac? Walk away, keep on trying, and keep on believing God for a greater blessing.

As a result, he found true blessings. Next time, someone try to argue with you over something, don't you think it is better to just walk away?

The Great Faith

Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. - Mt 8 : 7 - 8

There is this Roman officer, whose servant is very sick and paralyzed. So he went to meet and asked Jesus to heal his servant. But, when Jesus wanted to go with him, he refused, he only asked Jesus to say the word from where Jesus is. And he believe that his servant will be healed.

Even Jesus is amazed by this man's faith, let alone us. So often in life, we are faced with problems and we asked God for help, but when God speak the Word, did we believe? We heard that whatever the Bible says, we could have it. But aren't we lacking something? The believing part!


A lot of us, we came to God saying, "God heal me", "God do this ... God do that ..." Stop that if you do not believe God can do that. Check our heart, and then we asked again.

No faith is too great for God; only faithless is a concern for Him.

The Test of Faith

The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac (Gen 22) has to be the biggest test of faith the entire Bible has ever recorded. Sacrificing something that you always longed for, but once it's given to you, you are asked to return it. Did Abraham think that God would not do something like this, that this is a joke! NO!


He went up to the mountain with only one thing in mind, "If God can give me now, He can give me later." Doesn't it pain his heart? OF COURSE IT DOES!


He wasn't called for the father of faith for no reason. He has never withheld anything from God. Are you withholding anything from God? If one day God asked us for something we held precious, will we give it away?

Always keep this in mind, God will provide (Gen 22 : 14).

A Brand New Heart

I just met with a misfortune; my brand new phone which I used for a week is stolen. Of course I was sad, angry, cursing that whoever person that stole my phone. It was early in the morning, and then I went to work with a heavy heart. I just can't get it out of my head, even with my girlfriend trying to comfort me.

But then, as I was sitting in the office, turn on my computer; trying to listen to a song that could calm me. When I turn on my music player, I heard this song "A Brand New Heart" by True Worshipers. It is then that I know in my heart, this is a big test of faith, a warning letter from God. Maybe I've been spending more time with my new phone rather than with God.

I just prayed that God would give me a brand new heart. A heart that follows Him, a heart that forgives.

Some Precious Thoughts

The paradox of our time in history is that:

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers.
Wider freeways but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but we have less.
We buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families.
More conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense.
More knowledge, but less judgment.
More experts, yet more problems.
More medicine, less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly.
Laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry.
Stay up late, get up too tired.
Read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
But have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build computers to hold more information,
To produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion.
Big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce.
Fancier houses, but broken homes.
There are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
Throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies,
And pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window.
And nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you.

Remember to spend more time with your loved ones,
Because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember. say kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,
Because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
Because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart.
And it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones,
But most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment.
For someday that person might not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak!
And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

By: Bob Moorehead