Give to the Lost
tour four [4 of 5] NEXT>
Have you ever known someone who was particularly generous? These people make good friends, because they are always surprising you with gifts. No matter the circumstances, they enjoy giving to others.
If you are drawn to people who have a naturally giving nature, is it any surprise that others will be drawn to you if you adopt a giving nature.
This quality of generosity is a beautiful and biblical way to build relationships. Chuck Swindoll reinforced the importance of relationships with the statement, "We do not really have an in-depth ministry to anyone whom we do not have a relationship with." If you wish to share your faith with another, you should develop a relationship with them. One great way to do that is to be a gift-giver. We can use the resources God has given us to draw people closer to Him.
Give a Gift and Change a Life
In Luke 16:1-9, Jesus shares a parable about a shrewd money manager. He concludes the parable with the words, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (v.9).Many people are surprised to find this verse in the Bible. They have never thought of using their financial resources to make friends for God’s glory. Yet that is exactly what is asked of us. “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves,” Jesus says. Nearly everyone wants to be friends with a gift giver, and friendships often lead to opportunities to share the Gospel.
When the New Testament writers spoke about giving, they encouraged us to give not only to family and other believers, but also to unbelievers as well. Jesus opened the hearts of the lost to his message by ministering to their physical needs when he fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). Through giving, you can form relationships that can lead to open hearts.
The idea of giving is splattered throughout the New Testament. God has given you everything you have, including any financial resources, and He is glorified when you share what you have been given with others. We hope that you will join us in becoming gift-givers to draw people closer to you, and therefore closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Give a Gift and Change a Life
In Luke 16:1-9, Jesus shares a parable about a shrewd money manager. He concludes the parable with the words, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (v.9).Many people are surprised to find this verse in the Bible. They have never thought of using their financial resources to make friends for God’s glory. Yet that is exactly what is asked of us. “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves,” Jesus says. Nearly everyone wants to be friends with a gift giver, and friendships often lead to opportunities to share the Gospel.
When the New Testament writers spoke about giving, they encouraged us to give not only to family and other believers, but also to unbelievers as well. Jesus opened the hearts of the lost to his message by ministering to their physical needs when he fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). Through giving, you can form relationships that can lead to open hearts.
The idea of giving is splattered throughout the New Testament. God has given you everything you have, including any financial resources, and He is glorified when you share what you have been given with others. We hope that you will join us in becoming gift-givers to draw people closer to you, and therefore closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
|
SHARE YOUR FAITH
|
