I love to give. There is something inside of me that loves seeing the excitement on someone’s face when you hand them that perfect gift. Every time I think I have the perfect gift for someone it takes everything inside of me to be patient and wait for the right time to give them their gift. Giving brings me joy, satisfaction, love and allows me to show someone a little bit of what they mean to me.
Jesus was the ultimate giver. He gave His life on the cross so that we could see His love for us.
Blessings
When I go out with my friends, I love to pick up the bill. Not because I have the finance to do it but because I want to bless them because they are in my life and I am grateful for that. On the other side of that is if someone wants to bless me, I feel awkward and bad that they are doing something for me. My mum’s friend once told her, just say “thank you” when they bought her a coffee, as mum protested they replied, “don’t rob me of my blessing!”. When people want to bless you or gift you with something let them! As much as it blessed you and makes you feel loved it also blesses them and makes them feel like they are being a blessing and showing you how much they care for you.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.!" (2 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 6 - 8)
Tithes and Offerings
This is my structured way of giving. It reminds me of what He has done for me in my life. An offering is simply above and beyond my 10 percent.
Tithing to me is not an obligation or something I should do. It’s actually something I love to do. I know that my tithe allows God to reach people I personally cannot reach—through my church and into the community and missions. It keeps me in a place of gratitude and grace for what I have been blessed with and how I can bless others.
An offering is what I feel God is speaking to me about giving. Whether it is for my church, for someone in need that I meet in my everyday life or for my family and friends.
"Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;" (Proverbs chapter 3 verse 9)
Obedience
Another form of giving is in our time. When God calls us to do something, or help someone, or write an article—being obedient to that is giving Him our time and ourselves to His purposes. Giving of our time for other people is a way for us to love on others and bring value to their world. Whether that be cooking someone a meal because they are going through a tough time, mowing someone’s lawn because you know that the father in that family is absent, going on a missions trip, serving at church, being a missionary either local or overseas—all of these and more show people they are not alone in life and that there are people out there who care and want them to prosper just like God wants for each and every one of us.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew chapter 7 verse 24)
Elise Williams lives on the Sunshine Coast with her family. She has a Diploma of Business and is currently studying a Diploma of Library and Information Services. She is passionate about God and has quite the creative streak. She has a heart for others and strives to encourage others to know God’s love and to understand how beautiful and valued they are in God’s eyes.