When it comes to giving to the poor we always hear many excuses on why not to give such as, “they’re only going to use the money to buy drugs.” People would rather judge the poor and be stingy than help them.
People would rather waste money on ungodly things than helping someone in need. It is our duty to give. Giving is not only about money. You can give food, water, clothes, your time, etc.
My fellow Christian what sacrifices are you making? How are you making a difference? Have empathy for others and give cheerfully without expecting anything in return. Be an imitator of Christ who displayed a great amount of love and compassion for the poor.
1. Giving is pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
2. Giving is being obedient to God.
Deuteronomy 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
3. You will be blessed.
Acts 20:35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Psalm 112:5-6 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.
Psalm 41:1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble.
Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
4. When you give you are serving Christ.
Matthew 25:35-45 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
5. To help the needy.
Romans 12:13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Matthew 5:42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Luke 10:25-37 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
6. To be a blessing to others.
Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
7. To discipline yourself so you never become greedy or start to give grudgingly.
Proverbs 21:26 Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give.
Psalm 112:5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
8. Jesus commands us to love others.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
9. To lay up treasures in Heaven and reveal your heart.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
10. God does not like when we neglect the poor.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
Proverbs 28:27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
Proverbs 17:5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
11. As Christians we must make sacrifices.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
12. Giving keeps you humble and grateful for the little things.
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
13. You will become more like Christ and grow as a Christian.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
14. Instead of doing worthless things with your time you are using it wisely.
Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
15. Wouldn’t you want someone to help you?
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
