Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word.” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God.
Today, we examine how God’s Word provides clear guidance and direction about giving your time.
Let’s review examples of God’s Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today’s message. I will be reading scripture today from the Amplified Bible.
If you are watching this message online, we invite you to share your comments as we review each verse.
Here is our first verse:
In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’”
– Acts 20:35 AMP
In this verse, Luke explains the quote from Jesus which illustrates the importance of giving over receiving. We see emphasis in the Amplified Bible that giving also brings joy to the giver.
When you give your time, how does it make you feel?
Let’s have a look at another verse.
Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
– 1 Peter 4:10 AMP
In this verse, Peter reminds us that each of us has received a special gift from God. These gifts may be useful in different facets of our lives, however, they are also in place so that we may share the benefits of these gifts with others we encounter over the course of our lives.
Are there special gifts that you know are planted within you? Gifts you did not formally acquire but seem part of who you are? Let us know.
Let’s look at one last verse.
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].
– 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP
In this verse, Paul explains the importance of making the decision to give our time. We should not offer our giving out of guilt or grudgingly. Instead, we should be intentional in making the decision to give. Giving should be done as an act of the heart, for God delights when we offer our time to be used as He sees fit.
When is the most recent time you gave your time to an individual or an organization to assist someone in need? Did you give your time out of guilt, or from a true desire in your heart to give? Share your feedback in the comments.
Giving your time can be a powerful way for God to use you to help others in need. Once we make the decision to give our time, it is so important to include God’s guidance in the process of seeking an opportunity to give. Ask God today to lead you to the opportunity to give your time that is aligned with the gifts He has planted within you.
Thank you for your time in reviewing these verses with me today. Please be sure to share in the comments how these or other examples of God’s Word have helped you to give, in particular, giving of your time.
Thank you for the opportunity to share encouragement. Here @walkinginstepwithGod we truly appreciate your support. We are fully committed to Christ and the community. We invite you to join us in fellowship and to seek opportunities for fellowship in your local community as well.
