Category Archives: Giving

A woman feeding an elderly person a bite of food at a table with plates and glasses
Bible, Giving, Hospitality, Needs, Pursue, Romans, Scripture

DO UNTO OTHERS

ROMANS 12:13

“contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

I am so thankful for the supporters of our ministry with Every Man A Warrior. These supporters, some monthly, some annually and some sporadically, are so appreciated. They are truly what keeps us going. They share from the resources the Lord has blessed them with. They are doing exactly what Paul is talking about today in verse 13. Let’s take a look.

Paul uses a Greek word for “contributing” that I am sure you have heard before. It’s koinóneó which literally means to share with other people. It can also mean to be partaker or an associate with someone else. You have probably heard the noun form before. It’s koinonia which means fellowship or contribution. Then Paul tells us to be “practicing hospitality.” The verb “practicing” is really an interesting word. It’s diókó, and we’ll look closer at it later.

APPLICATION

Back to koinóneó. This word is used eight times in the New Testament where it is often translated as “sharing.” Later in Romans 15:27 we read, “For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things,” where Paul refers to the things the Gentiles have shared with the Jewish believers. And another verse that I really like where this word is used is Galatians 6:6. “The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.” Sharing with our brethren is an important practice for the body of Christ.

Diṓkō means to “aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch (prize). Diṓkō is used positively (earnestly pursue) and negatively (zealously persecute, hunt down). In each case, diṓkō means pursue with all haste (chasing after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend).” (HELPS Word-studies) That’s an interesting way to talk about be hospitable, isn’t it. I’ve known people who practice this gift without hesitation. They welcome people in their homes or give them what they may need without any thought of being repaid.

How can we do these two things better? I can only think of one – be more like Christ. Put others before us. Be more selfless. That’s hard, isn’t it? But we are told to do this continually. Both of these words are in the Present Tense. That means to keep doing it. Ask the Lord how He wants you to put these two things into practice more. He will lead you to those in need.

Open my eyes, Lord, to see those around me who I can assist.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Various Christmas presents wrapped in colorful paper with bows on a wooden bench
Bible, Cheerfulness, Exhortation, Gifts, Giving, Leading, Mercy, Romans, Scripture, Zealous

THE GIFTS LIST – EXHORTATION, GIVING, LEADING, MERCY

ROMANS 12:8

“or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

As we continue today with Paul’s list of spiritual gifts in Romans 12:8, I am reminded of another analogy. I played high school football. I really loved the game. But the position I played on offense wasn’t the flashy one. I wasn’t the quarterback, running back or receiver. I was one of the grunts, a lineman. I played all three positions (tackle, guard, center) during my high school career. Although my position wasn’t the one noticed each play, it was important. Without those positions blocking and protecting, the players making the scores would be overwhelmed with the defense.

So, as we look at four more gifts from the Lord, remember that each one needs the other. In today’s verse, Paul gives us four very different kinds of gifts. They don’t seem to relate to each other at all. How does exhortation compare to giving or how does leading compare to showing mercy? Looked at separately they really don’t. But when you step back and look at the whole body of Christ, you can see how each play their part to make the body function.

APPLICATION

What is exhortation? The Greek word is paráklēsis which can be described as a “holy urging.” This is when you encourage others to carry out God’s commands and practices. This gift can be closely tied to someone who serves as a teacher or preacher. But this word can also be translated as “comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) which gives you a fuller picture of what exhortation can include.

Next Paul mentions “giving,” which is an absolute beautiful gift. People with this gift don’t give to gain recognition and have buildings named after themselves. They give to further the kingdom of God without any concern about how they will get thanked. I have known people with this gift who sold property to give the money to the church. This is a selfless gift focusing on the needs of others. This is found in the way one should give, with “generosity.”

I have this next gift of “leading” but have to admit that I don’t always do it in the way Paul says we should lead – with “diligence.” Sometimes leadership is cast upon us, and other times we make the conscious choice to lead. The Greek word for “leading” is proístēmi which carries the idea of one who has the character to direct others and model behaviors and actions. “Diligence” is spoudḗ (which, by the way, is a just a fun word to say). This means with speed and with zeal. It means “quickly obeying what the Lord reveals is His priority.” (HELPS Word-studies)

The last gift in Paul’s list today is showing mercy. The Topical Lexicon says about this Greek word, “Each occurrence unveils God’s heart toward the helpless and models the believer’s calling to reflect that heart toward others.” Compassion is a word often used in connection to this gift. And how are we to do this? With cheerfulness. The Greek word there is hilarótēs which comes from hilarós. It’s having an attitude that is ready to respond from a willing spirit. We get our word “hilarious” from this. Hilarótēs is only used here in Romans 12:8 and hilarós is only used in 2 Corinthians 9:7 in relation to being a “cheerful giver.”

This is not Paul’s only list of gifts. He mentions other gifts in other letters, but these give us something to ponder, don’t they? Have you found yours in this list? If not, keep asking the Lord to reveal how He wants to use you in the body of Christ.

O Lord, I am so thankful how You have gifted the body of Christ with the various gifts and knitted them all together as one.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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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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