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The Gift of GIVING
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly...he who gives, with liberality” (Ro 12:6, 8). SHARING GENEROUSLY, WITHOUT PRETENSE [hypocrisy]In the Greek, “gives” (Ro 12:8) here means to impart or to share. And as Paul said, it is to be done “with liberality”, meaning generously, without pretense/hypocrisy. For example, Barnabas and others shared generously to meet pressing needs (Ac 4:34, 35, 37). But Ananias and Sapphira shared with pretense/hypocrisy (Ac 5:1). So the gift of giving means to share generously with those in need, but without hypocrisy.WARNING! (A) Jesus Gave Bad Omens about Being Rich Jesus issued several grave, severe, and uncompromising warnings to the rich. For example, If you are rich... . It will be hard for you to enter heaven, because your treasure is on earth (Mt 19:23). . Woe to you if you have your comforts now (Lk 6:24l Ja 5:1-6), because it is likely you will not then (Lk 16:19-31). . The wealth that you have selfishly stored up for yourself will be hazardous to your soul (Lk 12:16). . The importance that you place on wealth will make you spiritually immature or incomplete (Lk 8:14). (B) Expecting to Be Rich Will Destroy You If you want, expect, or hope to be rich the Bible says that you will fall into temptation, snares, and many foolish and harmful desires that will ruin or destroy you (1 Ti 6:9). Do you want to be rich? Do you expect to be rich? Do you hope to be rich some day? (C) Being Rich in and of Itself Is Not a High Position in the Kingdom of God Below is an excerpt from the Introduction: There Are Three Categories or Kinds of Gifts. It is about the position of a rich man [and a poor man] in the kingdom of God, apart from any gift. “ To further illustrate this point about rank within the lesser gifts, consider what James said about the poor Christian vs. the rich Christian [both are in a sense a type of lesser gift, and even a type of situational gift]. “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position [i.e. height, high rank or station]; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation [i.e. lowness, low estate], because like flowering grass he will pass away” (James 1:9, 10). This gives more purpose and meaning to the idea of the poor being rich in faith. “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5) -- But not all poor people have the gift of faith.”Instructions to Rich Christians Passage: 1 Timothy 6:17-19Subject: Instructions to Rich Christians .... more about this in the Bible Study on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit |