In The Garden
"Power of Giving" Pt 4
Series: The POWER of Christian Living
Pastor Wayne Clabaugh

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Scripture: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38 (KJV)

Okay - I know you're expecting a good old hit in the wallet from me... that's what most preachers do with this verse... and this ministry needs the help just as much as the next guy, but "giving" is  not just about money. Giving is about "value". It's about hope and purpose bestowed as a planned benevolence or endowment to one who is in need. Now, that puts a whole different slant on giving: at least coming from a preacher, doesn't it?

There are many wonderful "givers" around the world who have one goal in mind, to help the "less fortunate" in their hour of need. Yet, in many instances it becomes almost impossible to "make a difference" because the need is so great, or there are so many obstacles in the way. but that doesn't mean we don't try.

I remember when I was little and my folks were Salvation Army Officers, men who were traveling and were hungry would come to the door and ask for work so they could eat. Mom would always hand them a broom or dust mop and head them towards the chapel. She said "...while they're cleaning up it wouldn't do them any harm to be in the house of God!" Then she would call them to the porch and sit them down usually to some fried eggs and toast. We never had much but what we had we gave them and we would always talk with them and treat them with the greatest respect. Mom always got her message in there about giving their hearts to Jesus and going back home where ever that was... and some would say that's where they were heading. One day, we got news that one such indigent was supposedly sweeping in the chapel of a Salvation Army building and said that he fell on the slick floors and sued the Army supposedly for some big bucks. I never heard if he won, but I know the Army changed their policy from then on about indigents who came to the smaller Corps Buildings for food, and while we could still feed them - preferably by sending them to the local diner for a hot beef sandwich... we could not allow them to work for it. Truly an obstacle to getting the WORD in there while they were enjoying a home-cooked meal.

Giving comes in so many forms in the WORD of God. The Gift of:

Sacrifice - The Greatest Gift of Sacrifice is to lay down your life for your friend.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (KJV)

On a Spiritual and Eternal level, Jesus has done just that for us on Calvary. Not only did he die, but He "finished the work", meaning there is nothing more you nor I could do to complete our salvation. It was completed at the Calvary. (Ref., John 17:4)

The Gift of Encouragement Galatians 6:1 says,

"Brethren,  if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

That phrase, "restore such an one in the spirit of meekness..." speaks of "the setting of bones" that are broken, or out of joint.

Isn't that a wonderful description as to what often happens in the heart and life of a brother and sister who has fallen in the Lord? To mend "the bones"; that which "holds up the body"... with great care and tenderness as to not cause "the body" more pain. Is there someone you can encourage in such a way today?

Then there's the Gift of Service.

• Cup of cool water... Matthew 10:42

• Mary Anointing Jesus' Feet and wiping them with her hair... John 12:3;

• Woman at the well gets new Life and goes and tells everyone to "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? ... John 4:29;

The Gift of Christian Example... (Abounding in the Lord...becoming steadfast and unmovable)

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

Gift of Money / Offerings... Luke 6:38

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Gift of Faith Hope and Love... 1 Corinthians 13

I'm sure with this short reminder of the Gift of Giving, you can find so many other ways that you can be a "GIVER" in the Service of the King. Don't wait! Remember, there's a blessing tied to your giving and it is measured by what you give. It's a Biblical principle and it is outlined in our text for today - let me say that one more time:

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38 (KJV)

Now, for those who might be saying, "Brother Wayne, you're not supposed to give so that you might be blessed". Well, let me just respond by saying that I didn't promise you the blessing, The Lord did! Are you going to tell Him you don't want Him to bless you? Remember, when you give, you give as unto the Lord. God wants to bless you - it is His desire to bless you. Look at Luke, Chapter 11

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. " Luke 11:9,10 (KJV)

Let's pray...
Father, I thank you and praise you for those who are givers to In The Garden and ITGM Radio. Thank you for those men and women who have enriched my life with their counsel and their LIFE experience. Lord, make me a better Giver, so that I may Glorify Your Name and be a Witness to Your Awesome Love for all mankind, in all that I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.