Nougat 2

You know, if we see Giving is a spiritual gift, then it’s something we should aspire towards all the days of our lives. More importantly, it’s a gift that comes with a multiplier effect. Don’t get my drift? Well, consider today’s Holy Nougat

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Get to Give and Blessed to Bless

Yes, we read that right, Giving is spiritual and it’s a biblical principle. For our giving, regardless of the gift, is considered as unto God. Deuteronomy 16:17 says as much when describing how to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. In fact, Moses said God expects us to approach God with our gifts at three different times in a given year. And the onus is on us to determine how much we gift back to God. Or, as Moses said, we give in response to what we received from God.

Though referring primarily to our relationships with each other, Luke 6:38 is clear – when we give, we get with brawta (a little top up), and it continues to the point of overflow. What’s interesting though is that God doesn’t want us to give solely to get, or to be calculating in our giving. God would prefer that we give out of a desire to honor God, making our giving ‘natural’.

As I reflect on this nougat I’m also drawn to Abraham’s life. Genesis 12:2 indicates that God’s promise was fourfold. The reward for Abram’s obedience included:

– Becoming a great nation

– Blessings from God,

– Abram would be famous (renowned) and

– Abram would be a blessing to others.

It’s easy to get drawn by the glitz and glamor of Abram’s fame, being the foundation of a nation and three monotheistic religions. But I pray we don’t lose sight of the fact that others being blessed because of (by) God’s blessings to us.

That’s the principle Paul presents to the church at Corinth. Paul indicated that God would enrich them in every way so that they could be generous on every occasion (in and out of season). So it is with us. As we are blessed, we ought to bless others. And when practiced in response to God’s grace in our lives, the glory is God’s.

Lord,

Thank You for Your ongoing generosity to us, whether we earned it or not.

Help us to count our blessings and see how greatly enriched we are by You (and not by our might)

And please enrich us in all facets of our lives so that we can bless others and bring glory to Your name.

This is our prayer dear Jesus amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ