A Season of Giving

Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We know that quite often there are opportunities all throughout our day to do something good for someone. The truth is that those opportunities come along for all of us, whether we are a Christian or not. But doesn’t it really beg the question, “Lord, what good works have you prepared in advance for me to do today?”

When we couple the words of Paul in Ephesians with the words of Jesus’s brother in James 2:14-18, we see one answer to our question. James tells us, “What good is it, my brothers, and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

Part of our faith is in believing that God is our provider. Should we not then exercise that faith in our giving and service to others? Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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.”

Is it possible that God has provided for us, either in our finances or our abilities, so that we could help provide for the needs of someone else? Are we willing to extend ourselves and buy someone’s groceries when we know that their money is tight? Are we willing to provide a meal to a homeless person, despite the reason for their current state? Are we willing to act in faith, believing that God will take care of us when we reach out to take care of others? 

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will rise up within us whenever there are opportunities to do good, and that He will strengthen our faith and our resolve to step out and help someone in need. Pray that the Spirit reminds us of who our provider is when there are opportunities to provide for others.

Also pray that Thrive continues to be a giving church. That God continues to provide abundantly to our church so that we can provide abundantly to those in need. May we always be a church that does a tremendous amount of good throughout our community.

As Paul and James reminded us, good works, when coupled with our faith, ultimately brings glory and thanksgiving to God. After all, isn’t that why we do good works, so that God will be rejoiced and thanked?  So, in this season of giving, let our hearts be willing to give generously, knowing that God is our true provider.