Category Archives: Giving

Bible, Family, Farewells, Giving, Grace, Scripture

BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS

PHILIPPIANS 4:23

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Well, here we are at the end of another book. Today marks the end of these blogs on Philippians. What a great epistle of the Apostle Paul. Don’t you agree? It’s been a fun journey. Paul ends this letter in the same way he began it – by wishing grace upon the readers. Look back at Philippians 1:2. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Why change the message if it’s filled with grace?

This was a typical farewell by Paul. We see it in Romans 16:20 and 24, Galatians 6:18 and Philemon 1:25. What did Paul mean by “grace be with you”? What did grace mean to the believers? To these Philippian believers, it meant freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life. Remember, grace is getting something you don’t deserve. Paul is reminding them they do deserve grace freely given by Jesus.

APPLICATION

To whom can you extend grace today? Maybe it’s that pesty neighbor who won’t keep his lawn mowed. Mow it for him. It could be the work colleague who seems to always get the last cup of coffee and doesn’t make a fresh pot. Take them a hot cup of coffee. We can extend grace is so many different ways, can’t we?

It is God’s Holy Spirit working with our spirit that enables us to extend that grace to others. Believe me, I can barely extend grace to myself, much less others. But if I yield my spirit to His Spirit, He will direct me to those who need it. Without our yielding, we may never see those around us who are in desperate need of grace.

Today, as you go to your place of worship, look around the room. I guarantee you that half of those present are dealing with some kind of crisis in their life that they are keeping to themselves or to immediate family. We, the family of God, need to be grace givers to other “family” members. If your church doesn’t have a prayer list of members’ requests, ask your pastor if you can start one. Prayer may be the greatest grace gift we can give. Give grace today.

Father, help me be a grace giver today to those around me in desperate need of it.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Gifts, Giving, Scripture

BLESSED BY BLESSING

PHILIPPIANS 4:17

“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account.”

Every time I give to someone or to some ministry, I am blessed beyond measure. I only wish I could give more. I have a couple of dear brothers in Africa right now who need resources to build new church buildings. I am not talking about extravagant halls complete with coffee bars and flashing lights. All they desire is four walls and a roof. I would love to write them a check to just go buy the property and build those buildings. How fun would that be and how blessed would I be! (if you would like to give to that, let me know)

Paul uses some words in today’s verse that bring out this message of being blessed by blessing. The word translated “profit” is actually the Greek word for fruit. We know that fruit is always for others and not ourselves. And the word “increases” is a word that means more than enough or surpasses. I want to show you the other occurrences of this word in the New Testament so you can get a fuller idea of it.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon explains it this way. “Scripture employs it to describe both the multiplication of sin and, more triumphantly, the super-abounding of grace, faith, love, thanksgiving, fruit, and virtue. In every instance the word underscores God’s intention that what begins in His people should not remain static but should grow past ordinary limits.”

In the New Testament, we see it used (This is also from the Topical Lexicon):

• Romans 5:20; 6:1 – sin increases, yet grace surpasses it
• 2 Corinthians 4:15 – grace spreads so that thanksgiving overflows
• 2 Corinthians 8:15 – no one has excess or lack when God distributes provision
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – love is to “increase and overflow” among believers
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – faith “grows more and more,” love “is increasing”
• Philippians 4:17 – Paul seeks fruit that “may be credited” (growing interest) to the church’s account
• 2 Peter 1:8 – possessing and “increasing” in virtue keeps believers from unfruitfulness

Rest assured the Lord knows your heart as you give. He will bless you, not according to the measure of your gift, but rather according to the heart of your gift. Go ahead, see what He will do. Be blessed by being a blessing. Let the Lord give you the joy of giving joy to others.

Lord, show me today to whom I should I give. I know that You will bless my pure and undefiled motives in my giving.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Blessing, Giving, Money, Scripture, Sharing

SHARING WITH OTHERS

EPHESIANS 4:28

“The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.”

I have never been a wealthy man, but I do love to give to individuals or causes when the Lord prompts me. There is just something about helping someone who has a real need. I have had the opportunity from time to time to bless a friend who just had a baby or to assist a brother with a ministry need. I have even been able to help meet more urgent needs like someone who had an unexpected life event (death in family, home fire, etc). It is such a blessing to be able to give when I can.

We are instructed by Paul in today’s verse to do just that. He tells us that we work and labor for just that purpose. Look at the verse. We labor “so that we (he) will have something to share with one who has need.” That was not the first thing people thought about in Ephesus. Self-centeredness has been around a long time. But Paul told the Ephesians and tells us today that we are blessed with resources to share.

APPLICATION

The word translated “share” is metadidómi. It means to give a share of something. In Luke 3:11 Jesus says this about sharing, “And he would answer and say to them, ‘The one who has two tunics is to share with the one who has none; and the one who has food is to do likewise.’” If Jesus expected us to share, why wouldn’t we?

In Romans 12:8, Paul is writing about our spiritual gifts. He mentions giving in that list. “…the one who gives, with generosity;…” Giving is a gift of the Spirit. Now, before you say Well Carl, that gift just skipped right over me. That’s not how it works. When we receive the Spirit of God in our lives, we receive all the gifts of the Spirit. Sure, some are more prominent in our lives than others, but this gift of giving is part of the Spirit’s gifts to us. We just may choose to not exercise that gift.

This sharing, however, is not just about money or resources. It may involve our very selves. Look at 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.” So, the question is really, why aren’t we sharing more?

Lord, give me the desire and ability to be a blessing to someone else today.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Gifts, Giving, Love, Modeling, Pleasure, Scripture

SUPER ABUNDANTLY

EPHESIANS 1:8

“which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight”

Have you ever seen an elaborate, over-the-top gift or giving? I remember one time at a children’s home where I served, we had a Christmas party sponsored by a local insurance company. This company had adopted one of the cottages on campus where eight teenage boys lived. When we arrived at the party, each boy had their own round dining room table (you know, the big fold up kind) stacked about four or five feet high with gifts. It literally took four vanloads to get all the gifts back to the cottage. Those boys had been lavishly blessed.

To catch the full context of today’s verse, glance back at the end of verse 7. Paul said, “according to the riches of His grace.” So, Paul is referring to God lavishing His grace on us. That even further intensifies yesterday’s blog. But what does the Greek word for “lavish” mean? According to Strong’s, it means, “to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous.” It comes from the Greek word, perissos, which already means “beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation.” That means God gives us grace that super exceeds our expectations, more than we can imagine. Hallelujah!

APPLICATION

I found something interesting about this word for “lavished” used in today’s verse. It is the same word used over in Luke 9:17 for “left over.”  “And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.” Think about that. Jesus not only fed 5,000 men (not counting the women and children), but he lavishly provided leftovers for the crowd. I had missed that in my previous readings of that story.

This word is also used by Paul over in 2 Corinthians 1:5, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” In this verse, it is translated as “abundance” and “abundant.” We like the last part of that verse but not necessarily the first part. Who wants to be lavishly given sufferings? Not me and probably not you. But there it is, right there in God’s Word.

Don’t worry, though. If God lavishly gives us anything, we know it is for our good and because He loves us. You don’t lavishly give anything to anyone you don’t care about. How can you lavishly love someone today? How can you bless them? I love it when the Lord tells my wife and I to lavishly bless a server at a restaurant. It blesses me that we can bless them that way. Do it today. Lavishly bless someone.

O Lord, You are too, too good to me. Thank You for Your lavish gifts You give to me.

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Bible, Blessing, Giving, Kindness, Money, Scripture, Teaching

TEACHERS OF THE WORD

GALATIANS 6:6

“The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.” 

I have had some great teachers in my life. Some were in Primary School while others were in High School. Some of my favorites were in College and Seminary. But my favorite teachers are the ones who have taught me the Word. I did not know the gravity of this verse back then. If I had, I would have followed it more precisely. Good teachers are hard to come by.

Paul tells the Galatians in today’s verse that they, as students of the Gospel, need to provide for and help maintain those who have taught them the Word. Now, Paul is not purely advocating for himself. He fully trusted the Lord for his provision. But he also knew that God expected those who had been blessed to be a blessing to others.

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 9:11-14, Paul tells the Corinthian church the same thing. “11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

I make my living as a minister of the gospel. To be exact, I am a missionary who relies on others to support me financially. It is a humbling thing to ask people to give to you. But I am commanded by the Lord to do so. Those who are part of our ministry support team tell me how blessed they are by the privilege they have to give. You need to give to those who teach you. Don’t hold back their wages. Bless them and you too will be blessed.

Father, thank You for the opportunity You give us to be a part of someone’s ministry of the Word.

(If you would like to give to our ministry, you can do that at www.twr.org/carl-willis.)

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Bible, Compassion, Family, Giving, God's Will, Love, Sacrifice, Scripture

WHATEVER THE COST

GALATIANS 4:15

“Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.”

There are some people you would do anything for, right? I would literally lay down my life for my family. I would not hesitate. My family is that important to me. The question arises then – What would I be willing to do for a total stranger or even a friend? To be honest, I would probably think long and hard about my sacrifice for them. But what would Christ do? We know what He did – He died for them.

Paul, in today’s verse, is thanking the Galatians for their willingness to sacrifice for him. The expression “torn out your eyes” has been interpreted literally and figuratively. Some think this refers to an eye malady Paul suffered with since his conversion on the Damascus road (remember the scales that fell from his eyes after being struck blind). Others think Paul was just saying they would have given anything for him. Whatever is true, we know they were willing to give anything for Paul.

APPLICATION

We are told by Jesus Himself in John 15:13, “‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.’” Do you think Jesus meant for us to literally lay down our lives or to sacrifice for others? Personally, I believe the latter. We have to count our lives as nothing and be willing to give no matter the cost. That’s what He did and expects us to do.

Paul discusses this topic briefly in Romans 5:7-8. “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He admits that is hard for us to sacrifice for others, but God held nothing back.

During this Holy Week, reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus. His sacrifice for us was planned from the creation of the world – whatever the cost. God knew what it would take, and He gave it. We all probably know John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” He gave! Therefore, we should give. We should be willing to sacrifice. Be like the Galatians in this regard. Sacrifice today for someone in the name of Jesus.

O Lord, I lay down my life today for my fellow believers.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Caregiver, Direction, Giving, Kindness, Money, Oveflowing, Scripture

REMEMBER THE POOR

GALATIANS 2:10

“They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

My wife and I love to give to others as the Lord leads us. Recently, we were at a restaurant and heard of a need from our server. We agreed almost instantly that the Lord would have us help meet that need. We like to bless our servers in restaurants. We have gotten to know a few through repeated visits. These individuals basically work for tips since their hourly wage is very low. God has so richly blessed us. We know He would have us share that when needed.

Paul mentions in today’s verse that the apostles in Jerusalem instructed them to “remember the poor.” These were probably those Judean believers who were suffering because of their conversion to Christ. They may have lost jobs and families because of their new faith. They had needs which Paul was glad to help meet. This was not the only time he did this. We’ll look at some of those efforts below.

APPLICATION

You may be led to help take up a collection to help someone or a group. In Romans 15:25-27 we see Paul doing that for the Judean believers. “25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things.”

Paul tells the Corinthian church to do the same. 1 Corinthians 16:1 says, “1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you are to do as well.” Giving to others is something that has been seen all through Scripture. We see it in the Old and New Testaments.

I particularly like the way James puts this in James 2:15-16. “15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” Is that crystal clear? I think so. Ask the Lord if there is a need around you that you could meet. I promise you will be blessed as much if not more than the person who help.

God, direct me to those who You would have me bless and meet a need.

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Bible, Giving, God's Will, Offering, Scripture, Tithe

WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

MALACHI 3:10

“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’”

My wife and I have tried our best to follow the words of this verse in our giving. I remember one time we were down to our last few dollars and our tithe was due. We, for some reason, had not been able to give it earlier. So, we gave it. Lo and behold, the next day we got a check in the mail that more than covered our tithe. Actually, this kind of blessing has happened to us more than once. God is truly a rewarding God.

The Lord promises blessings from heaven if they are obedient to give as He has instructed. He tells them in today’s verse to bring in the tithe which belongs to the Levites. This gift allowed them to spend their time in ministry and not have to return to their farms to survive (as we saw in an earlier time). The “windows of heaven” imply the blessing of rains needed to water their crops and provide for their livestock. And He closes this with the promise that it will overflow.

APPLICATION

The Pulpit Commentary defines the phrase “open for you the windows of heaven” this way, “The expression implies not only the removal of drought by copious showers of rain, but the diffusion of heavenly blessing in large abundance.” I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty good. Who doesn’t want “heavenly blessing in large abundance”?

But we do not give to get. Never forget that. We give out of obedience and because we love to bless our Lord. Maybe it’s time you take a look at what you are giving and why. We should also remember that as New Testament believers, the tithe (10%) is the starting point. 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 is a great example. Paul is sharing about the Macedonian churches’ desire to give. “3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,…”

Perhaps, like the Macedonians, you give generously to missions. That is great. Bless you. But don’t forget your local church. I pray you are plugged into a body of believers weekly. That body has needs also that you can help meet by your giving. However and to whomever you choose to give, give generously and watch the Lord bless you.

Lord, I know You are not a “blab it and grab it” kind of God. But I believe You are a faithful God who will bless our obedience.

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Abundance, Bible, Giving, Offering, Scripture, Tithe

ARE YOU A ROBBER?

MALACHI 3:8

“‘Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings.”’”

I have never been called a robber. Have you? I have never seen myself that way either. How about you? To be considered a robber you have to take something that isn’t yours. You have to keep it for yourself. You have to withhold from someone something that really should be in their possession. Let’s see what God says about this.

In today’s verse, the Lord is still talking and calls the people robbers because they have withheld the tithes and offerings that belong to Him. In the next few verses (9-12) we will look at the next few days, God continues to address this issue. There were several categories of tithes and offerings which they were, by Law, required to give:

  1. the first fruits
  2. the annual half-shekel Exodus 30:13-15;
  3. the offerings made for the tabernacle and the second temple at its first erection; it is used of ordinary offerings;
  4. of the tithes of their own tithes, which the Levites paid to the priests Numbers 18:26, 28-29;
  5. of the portions of the sacrifice which accrued to the priests Leviticus 7:14.

APPLICATION

So, how does this apply to us as New Testament believers? We are not told specifically to tithe, but we are told to give. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 tells us, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” What a great passage. God promises blessings as we give.

How about the very words of Jesus in Luke 6:38? “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Again, as we give, God blesses us. What a deal, right?

I have often said I wish I had millions of dollars to bless others with. I don’t and probably won’t. I can, however, ask those who can give in that way to give so that others can hear the gospel and come to Jesus. Will you give as you are able this season to bless at least one other person? God will bless you for that.

Father, send Your resources on us so that we can bless others.

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Affection, Bible, Correction, Disappointment, Gifts, Giving, Guilt, Holy Spirit, Hypocrisy, Praise, Scripture, Worship

FORGET THE GIFT

MALACHI 1:10

“‘If only there were one among you who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘nor will I accept an offering from your hand.’”

I have to admit something to you. I have given gifts out of guilt. Yep, I’ve done that. Don’t point your finger at me, though. I bet you have done the same thing. I have hurt people in the past, most of them unintentionally. So, what do I do? I try to find a way to make it up to them. That may involve a small gift of some sort. That is such hypocrisy, isn’t it?

The Lord speaks through Malachi in today’s verse and tells the priests, “nor will I accept an offering from your hand.” God doesn’t want gifts that are made half-heartedly. He wants us to come to Him with sincerity and purpose. God even hinted at even closing the doors of the temple to prevent them from offering sacrifices erroneously.

APPLICATION

Jeremiah 6:20 says something similar. “‘For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.’” This thought wasn’t exclusive to Malachi. All through Scripture God abhors false worship.

Carl, what’s all this talk about worship. Can’t we just restrict that Sundays? Are you kidding me? Worship is a daily event. We should be worshipping the Lord every day through praise, through thanksgiving and through listening for His voice. By the way that is PTL – Praise, Thanks, Listen. Try that today and see if you don’t worship.

This past Sunday at the church I attend, the worship service was truly Spirit-filled. I don’t mean we got Pentecostal (nothing wrong with that if it’s genuine). After all, we are Baptists, lol. But there were tears shed. There were hands raised. There were people standing up in their pews in celebration of praises going up through music. But I know my worship isn’t just on Sundays at my church. It’s every day.

I worship, O Mighty God, there is none like You.

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