I still remember the Sunday 22 years ago when Pastor Margaret preached on giving. As she paced the stage, gesturing passionately, I felt the knot in my stomach grow tighter.
I had just quit my job and launched a web design agency, and money was tight trying to pay rent, and bills and buy groceries for my young family. The idea of giving more financially made me anxious.
What if I don’t have enough left for myself? What if the money isn’t used right? As more “what if’s” crowded my mind, I closed myself off.
My grip on my bank account tightened as doubts and fears crept in. I left church feeling more burdened than blessed.
For weeks after, God seemed to highlight story after story in my Bible readings about the power and blessings tied to generosity.
I read testimony after testimony of increased joy and provision in the lives of those who gave cheerfully and sacrificially. As much as I wanted to dismiss it, the call to give felt undeniable.
With trembling hands, I wrote a check to my church – a scary amount for my budget. While the cost felt steep, as I dropped my donation in the offering plate, a new feeling washed over me. Peace.
I felt a release from the grip I had tried to keep on my finances. My focus shifted from what I didn’t have, to awe for God’s faithfulness to provide.
In the months that followed, blessings flowed steadily into my life. While giving sacrificially hasn’t always been easy for me, instead of lack I’ve found God’s channel of provision burst wide open.
The Promise of Blessings
God promises to reward those who give generously. While material blessings do come, the greatest blessings are not tangible.
Peace, joy, satisfaction, and hope spring forth when we give freely.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (AMP) states:
“Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].”
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Giving shifts us from lack to abundance. It requires surrendering your limited view to access God’s unlimited resources. When you give, you tap into the flow of God’s economy.
It’s Not About the Amount
A small gift requiring sacrifice means more to God than a large, easy gift.
Jesus honored the widow’s two copper coins above the rich people’s ample offerings. Her tiny gift represented the surrender of all she had.
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
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Giving demonstrates your worship and esteem for God. It reflects your awareness of His supreme worth.
King Solomon wrote:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)
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The size of your gift does not matter to God. What is important is the heart behind it. Your generosity shows reverence for the King.
The Power of Obligation
When you give to God, the Great King, you put pressure on Him to bless you in return. His nature compels Him to reciprocate.
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
Galatians 6:7 (NLT)
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John Bevere explains this principle in his book The Bait of Satan:
“We automatically place the recipient under obligation to the giver.”
Giving creates a holy vacuum in your life. As you pour out freely, it makes room for God to pour back into you.
Keeping the Flow
Generosity keeps God’s blessings flowing freely in your life. As you channel His resources into others, He continues channeling resources back to you.
It demonstrates your trust in His endless supply.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
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“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
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Mother Teresa famously stated:
“Give until it hurts.”
When you give sacrificially, you make room for miraculous provision. You clear the pipeline for God’s abundant supply.
More Benefits of Giving
Giving releases other surprising benefits in your life.
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
Proverbs 11:24 (NIV)
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Gratitude for what you have magnifies God’s abundance within you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
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Giving thanks keeps your focus on God. This divine focus enlarges your capacity to receive more from Him.
Your spirits expand as you fix your eyes on God, the Inexhaustible Source.
Forgiveness sets you free from bitterness. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV):
“14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
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Forgiving others frees you up to receive. Unforgiveness weighs down your soul like rocks in a backpack. Giving mercy lifts the burden, so you can walk joyfully with God again.
Compassion moves you to make a difference.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
Matthew 15:32 (NIV)
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Compassion compels us to give of ourselves. It stirs us to positive action on behalf of others. A generous heart overflows to meet pressing needs around us.
Expect the Unexpected
When you give freely and joyfully, God will often surprise you in return. He delights in blessing His children.
Giving simply makes room for Him to give back abundantly.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
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God surprises us with how he gives back. You may give money and receive healing. Or give time and gain prosperous relationships. His creativity will exceed your expectations.
The size of His gifts will also surprise you. Like the two fish and five loaves that fed 5000 (Mark 6:38-44). The oil that filled countless jars for a widow (2 Kings 4:1-7). God returns the gift and then blesses you with more.
Rick Warren notes God’s overflow this way:
“God intentionally allows giving to be a struggle so that you can’t out-give Him. That allows Him to prove His faithfulness to you.”
God enjoys displaying His abundance in our lives. Your giving creates more avenues for Him to bless you. It demonstrates your trust in His endless supply.
In Conclusion
Generous giving requires courage and faith. It forces us to surrender our limited perspective for His unlimited provision. But those who give freely tap into surprising power.
The power of joy, peace, and blessings. Of gratitude, freedom, and compassion. Of expectancy, awe, and abundance.
Giving generously launches you into miraculous dimensions with God. As you pour yourself out, He pours Himself in.
Will you take the challenge today to give boldly and expect a blessing? Clear your pipeline and get ready.
God delights in surprising His generous children. Open your hands and heart, and get ready for unexpected overflow!
Frequently Asked Questions About The Power of Giving
Q. What if I can’t afford to give much?
A. Remember the widow’s two small coins (Mark 12:42-43)? Her tiny gift demonstrated immense faith and surrender.
Start where you are. God sees your heart more than the dollar amount.
Q. How do I know my gift makes a difference?
A. Focus on giving to God first, not man. Trust Him to direct it where it is needed most. Even small acts of kindness make a big difference when God is behind them.
Q. What if I don’t see blessings after I give?
A. Walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). God’s timing and methods differ from ours.
He promises that generosity reaps blessing in due time (Galatians 6:9). Keep sowing faithfully.
Q. How much should I give?
A. Aim for a percentage of your income as a guide. Start wherever you can give joyfully.
The key is giving freely based on love for God, not under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7). God cares more about the heart than fixed amounts.
Q. What makes a “generous gift”?
A. A generous gift requires sacrifice. One given freely out of love for God more than results. It reflects your heart to honor God, not numbers. Seek Him to guide your giving.
Be bold. Give big. Expect miracles. God delights to show Himself mighty on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV).
The surprising benefits of generous giving await you!
