We must train ourselves to become givers.

Giving is God’s character.

Acts 20:31-35
³¹ Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
³² “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Whatever you sow, you will reap. We need to sow abundantly because whatever you give is what you will get back. Stretch yourself more and more.

2 Corinthians 9:6
⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

God is always looking for a reason to bless you.

What does God want?
1. He wants us to worship Him
2. He wants to bless His children
3. He wants us to give to Him

When we give, we are not doing the church a favor. We are not doing someone else a favor. We are doing something for ourselves.

Luke 6:36-38
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

When you give to others, you give to God. Givers are more blessed than takers.

Deuteronomy 15:10
10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.

“Give and it shall be given to you.” Why? Giving brings joy. When you give to someone else, it brings joy to you.

The Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee are very different. The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by trees and filled with fish. Why? The River Jordan brings water to the Sea of Galilee. Then the water flows out of the Sea of Galilee. The Dead Sea receives water but never gives. The Dead Sea is dead, spoiled. Why? It never gives.

If we just receive and never give, our finances will be dead. Our hearts will be dead. We must give. We must be like the Sea of Galilee – we must freely give whatever comes to our hand. Giving, sharing, letting go – that is what brings life.

When you give, joy overflows in your heart. When you give, it will be given to you.

Matthew 25 shows us what God will judge us by. This scripture shows us that God judges us by our giving. Giving drink, food, your time, yourself. All of these things are giving. Taking in strangers, giving food, visiting people in prison, all of that is giving.

God judges us by our giving.

Those who are selfish and don’t give are also dealing with a lack of trust. God judges you by how much love you give to others. Love is giving of yourself.

God bless you,
Pastor Sun East

More in this series:
Part 1: God wants you to prosper and here’s the key
Part 2: Was Jesus poor?
Part 3: God didn’t create beggars in the Garden of Eden
Part 4: Take dominion over yourself first
Part 5: What are the keys to remaining prosperous?
Part 6: Poverty is a Choice
Part 7: Givers are more blessed than takers