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God set the example of giving as the basis of His love. We need to reflect this in all aspects of our lives. Giving leads to eternal life. Without it we can’t keep the commandments; giving love to God and our neighbour. God gave life to all His creation. He gave laws that would ensure our continual physical and spiritual wellbeing if obeyed. Because we failed to live that way and the penalty is death, God gave the greatest gift of all so our sins could be forgiven.

This atonement was made by the death of His first born son, Jesus the Messiah. Now our relationship with God can be restored (Jn 3:16). Jesus reflected the Father in every aspect of his life as a human, giving health to the sick, sight and hearing, deliverance from demon possession and also life to the dead. Through his death he gave us the ability to have eternal life if we are obedient to God, with faith and belief (Jn. 6:30-40). Every good gift comes from God (Jas. 1:17-18). We ask not just for ourselves but for the good of others (Jas. 1:5-7).

At baptism, with the acceptance of the covenant with God we are given the Holy Spirit. This acceptance into the body of Christ with the Holy Spirit helping us keep the laws of God enables us to give as we have been given. Giving is an expression of love. To love God is to give to God what He asks of us in His commandments (Jn. 14:15). To love our neighbour as ourselves is to give as we are able, in order that their lives are enhanced, not damaged in any way by our breaking of the laws of God (1Cor 12:4-11). If we use our gifts without love we are as nothing; it is all in vain (1Cor 13:1-12).

God provides for our physical as well as our spiritual needs (Mat. 6:24-33). He promised to give us a productive environment to live in (Gen. 8:20-22). Sadly because over the generations man has broken God’s laws, the environment today is greatly damaged and man’s health and welfare is seriously impaired. God gave us wonderful promises

for obedience to Him (Lev. 26:1-13). Because we haven’t followed the instructions of our maker we will see man and his home planet progressively destroyed through war, disease, famine and pollution. If we hadn’t been too proud to follow His instructions we could have maintained everything in perfect order and lived in peace and prosperity.

The responsibility of God’s people is to give. We give back to God His tithes and offerings, return to the laws He instigated and repent of our waywardness. If we could all do this the conditions in the world could be turned around. There are many examples of the way people gave throughout the Bible (Ex. 5:20-23). They gave with a willing heart to give glory to God (Acts 2:44-47). They gave as much as they were able (Lk. 21:1-4). God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor. 9:6-9). Do we have the right attitude to others or do we have respect of persons giving attention to those in high positions and ignoring the less well off?

This is also sin (Jas. 2:1-26). Faith without works is dead. Those who have been blessed with riches in this life must be generous (1Tim. 6:17-19). The wealthy should be careful they don’t put their riches before God and those in need (Jas. 5:1-6). Time is running out. We need to ensure we are right with God.

A gift grudgingly given is no gift at all (1Pet. 4:7-11). If we can’t give freely with love, we fail. Remember Christ gave his life for us; we can give no less. Most of us may never be asked to give so much, but what we can give we should give without reserve. We can all give of our time which is our life (1Jn. 3:16-24). The effect of giving from the heart is a reward from Christ (Mk. 9:41; Lk. 6:38).

It is God’s will that all will receive the gift of eternal life. If that is not in the first resurrection we have another chance in the second at the end of the millennium (Isa. 55:1-7; 2Pet. 3:9). Remember to be thankful for the blessings that God has given us. This will help us to remember to give to others. One of the signs we have returned to God is that we are tithing correctly. Then look to the needs of your neighbours; be thoughtful and encouraging; the little things are often the most appreciated. Make time to pray and give something each day, even if it’s only a smile (Mal. 3:6-18).