CHAPTER 29: THE ART OF GIVING 2025

Okay, first sentence is rough, hear me out, let me get it out and you’ll understand. Ready? Here goes: Giving is a totally arrogant act, filled entirely with ego, unless it is completely focused in God’s will.

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Do you do that, do I do that? Good question. It is impossible to give correctly without the gratitude of receiving, to actually give honest gratitude for what is received. Then and only then did I realize that I could lasso the graciousness required to profoundly offer what I have to help. Okay, before we get started, let’s get an example of extreme giving. In John Chapter 14, starting in verse one, Jesus is comforting His disciples. Here is what I’ve come to understand in this set of verses. Jesus, knowing that He is going to die a humbling, bloody death, gives undying love and comfort to His friends. And, they offer Him nothing in return, no support, not one word in scripture to comfort the Lord. There is complaining however…

Matthew 19:27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

Wow! Jesus, has told them, he will die! There is not one word of compassion from any of them for Jesus. Instead, He, Jesus, knowing in a few hours that He will be murdered, betrayed by Judas, still, continues to give love and understanding to them all. That is the quintessential Art of Giving.

John 14 Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

In this Chapter I wrote down what I was seeing, observing, my own reactions to things in my life that only God could have caused. What could I do to say thank you, I thought? My life has been given to me, restored, not decorated by any means, simply restored and what will I do with it? What will I achieve? I observed that others did not necessarily like their lives and I questioned myself, would I follow that path, disgruntled with what I’d been given. At the moment I was grateful for God returning me to my health, still I awaited my purpose, not realizing I was already in motion. The Lord had already started my new life with Him. I hoped that I would stay grateful and not slip back to my obnoxious nature.

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Having said that, let’s get into it:

I get physically nauseous, when I hear people talk stupid and rebuke what I call a “savior moment.” What I mean by that is there are times when God actually says “go this way!” Perhaps through other people, perhaps through a situation, either way, God speaks in ways that I or you could have never come to on our own. He says basically, “I’ve heard you, I love you and here it is, come this way!” He creates a situation that basically guarantees success! It does take Faith, with a capital F! Why? Because neither you or I are comfortable with God’s way, it is foreign, we didn’t really think of it, He did. Therein lies the danger. But the message is clear, “Do this and be better, be alright, be safe, I have prepared your escape from tragedy. Don’t listen to the chatter around you! I’m speaking just to you.” Definite turning points in the lives of people, maybe you and me. For sure you and me.

Given this situation many say, “okay, I’m in, take me, Lord and show me.” Gratitude comes pretty easy, giving thanks comes pretty easy. On the other hand, others do not comply. They say, “no, I’m not going to do that, or I’ll do a few things but not this or that.” Those who say no, …miss out on a great miracle. An honest giving of the heart of the one true, loving God.

Psalm 149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.

Those who chose to ask for help and deny the solution, do it for a number of reasons. It may be for the accolades or adoration of friends or family, perhaps some selfish need, fear is a good one, or any number of reasons, greed is easy, sometimes just greedy for the confirmation of others, even if they’re wrong. All reasons objecting to the giving of God’s solutions come to the same end. How do you know it’s God’s way? You could never have done it. You’ve been provided with a success, Savior kit that could never be duplicated. Still people choose to let it go. What happens? A great crescendo of nothing, the same old problems, with no solution. I have witnessed this, seen it with my own eyes and experienced in the lives of too many. The lie that prosperity is right around the corner without effort. No need to take a difficult path of learning is the mantra. When people decide such things, with it comes a “never understanding or comprehending” of the failure they have just authorized.

Proverbs 1:18-19 But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.

Don’t be that person, break the spell, learn the good work.

John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[a] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Chapter 29, The Art of Giving. God’s work is definitely not the securing of one’s reputation. It is the constant vigil of following the Lord, helping others “correctly,” without agenda, giving thanks only to God and being the example of graciousness to others, learning through one’s own relationship with God. Learn to the art of giving by giving thanks first, then learn to give to others.

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Do you know what that means? It means to be grateful for His ways. For what He has done in your life. Honor, fear and glorify. How can I successfully give anybody anything, much less with a flare of wonderful, “art” if you will, how can I do that, if I can’t recognize the God in it? Do I truly embrace the concept of born again? Do I hate my own sinful nature that taunts me day after day, and taunts my friends, family? Am I aware that His mercy is something I do not deserve. Knowing these things, do I yearn to love the Lord more and serve wherever I can because of the Love I have for Christ, Jesus? Or do I just say these things for effect?

Matthew 15:8-9 These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[a]”

Knowing the Lord is not enough. Loving and serving the Lord is the key. Demons know God, they fear God, but only fire awaits them. You and I on the other hand, we know Jesus, and with gratitude, love, servitude and correctness we can give to the Lord, honor and dedication for all eternity. Can I learn the Art of Giving for what I myself have received? That is why I wrote this Chapter. I asked myself that question and I strive to answer it every day. Somedays are better than others, I’m sure you understand that.

Job 5:8-9 “But as for me, I would seek God, and to Good I would commit my cause..Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.

An example of Chapter 29, the Art of Giving, as taught by the Lord himself, Jesus Christ…

Luke 10:30-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan) In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Honor or loyalty cannot be bought. Think about that during Christmas bonus season. Who do you give money and why? Do you respect people who would be impossible to replace? People who were there for you and helped you when nobody else could? Or throw money at people who may or may not be there in a few weeks, months or next year?

God has given to all of you millions of dollars that have passed through your responsibility. What did you do with it? Everybody doesn’t get to manage millions of dollars, but you did. Think about it. Are you grateful? Did you use it for the glory and honor of God, or the glory and honor of you? Where is that money now? I think that question does give pause for thought. Also, when you failed, when I failed, still He came, still He offered support, still He showed you and me, The Art of Giving.

Psalm 138 You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.  On the day I called, You answered me;
You increased strength within me.[b]

Giving out money because it looks good on you? That’s not a reason. Does it glorify God and what He has given you? Does it honor the King who humbled himself and came here to die for your sins. Is that mentioned at the Christmas party and the spending of thousands of dollars? God gave you every cent in whatever enterprise you are lucky enough to have? Why? So you can blow money out at the open bar Christmas party the honors what? Give raises to manipulate people to stay, and in the end, the ones you tried the hardest to give, they never stay. Get it, right and wrong way to give.

A better thought is how do I minister to God’s people in the honor of Jesus, born to a world of unceasing sin, in the hopes of saving all of mankind.

Minister correctly. In this economy all of us are lucky to have a job. If employees don’t see it that way, gratitude may be something they’ve missed and something you should observe them missing.

On the other hand, those who pull the real weight of a situation, those people who work to be sure that your family is well cared for financially, and spiritually, those people you could not have found on your own, no way, no how. Do you honor God with them during this time of giving thanks? These are generally the people taken for granted. Always there, always understanding, always giving and quietly vital to the safety of the entire company and your life. The Art of Giving. Are you getting it now? Are you hearing me? There are people that you had no hand in meeting, only God could’ve brought them to you. Your spouse, children and key people in your business life. These people, gifts from God, best be grateful for, giving thanks To Him. You could not have purchased an ad in any social media that would’ve brought you such people, or brought you a personal God to provide you with a one way ticket to correctness. This God is the only God. And certain situations brought into your life, could only be God given, few and far between. We take them for granted by accident or on purpose.

‘Gives a whole new perspective at the Christmas party, the bar, the festivity of it all. When Jesus was born, Herod the King, became afraid of losing His position to King Jesus, so he killed all male children under two, just to be sure he got to Jesus. It didn’t work, but a whole lot of bad happened that night. Do we remember and give thanks to the Savior who came to destroy sin and death? That our children are safe at home, or in their homes? That I am safe in mine? Things to understand before I can truly give anything or celebrate anything. We have no wisdom without God, and He will give, but for the asking.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

I’ve always said, if you want to make a jerk, throw a man in a blender, add money and stir. Fight that phrase, rebel against it. Given the opportunity to give, do it right, keep your selfish nature out of it, keep your bad attitude out of it, keep your giant entitlement attitude out of it, keep your ego out of it. Trade it all for a heart of service, love and grateful for the King of Kings, on your knees in gratitude for the mercy of the Lord in heaven for you and me, worthless sinners. Never, ever say, to yourself or anyone, regarding the success of your companies, “I did this.” What I did caused failure, what He did saved me.

Mark 12:41-44 (The Widow’s Offering)  Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Every Pastor has learned to help those in need. Often those people who are so grateful for the help at the beginning, as things get better, they turn their back on God and the Pastor. People forget.

Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who repeats [a]his foolishness.

Oh yes, my friends with God there comes great responsibility and with that responsibility there comes great personal testing.

James 1:12 New International Version Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

The opportunity to give, quietly, to God for what He has done, and what He will do, then it is possible to understand the art of Giving to those who truly matter, those you are moved by God to respect, giving obedience to God, not what you think you’d like to do, but what God is moving your ministry to do. Then a person can truly share their personal testimony, give assistance correctly, carefully, in discernment. Know your job, know His job. There is a big difference.

Esther 4:14b And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Chapter 29 The Art of Giving. How can you be gracious if you have not been gracious for the love God has shown?

Paint a picture with the hand of God. Title it:
“colors in my life, painted because of You, let me be Your example…”
Is this chapter for everybody? I don’t know, make sure it is for you…Amen.