Have a Giving Heart

The Dead Sea (Dead Sea) is a salt lake located in the Jordan Valley. It bears that name because no large plants or animals are able to live in it.

Why is that?

Located 430.5 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth. It does not flow out anywhere. As a result, its salt content is extremely high, almost ten times saltier than seawater. Macroscopic living creatures generally cannot survive in an environment with salinity this extreme.

These waters are “dead” because they only receive and never give.

Is your life right now like the Dead Sea? Always receiving but never giving? Be careful, or no one may be able to endure being around you.

Why do we need to give?

Indeed, it is easier to receive than to give. Yet to remain alive, we must keep giving.

The Dead Sea is not conducive to sustaining life because it is a dead end for the Jordan River, as well as several dry riverbeds that only carry water when rain falls. On the other hand, plants and animals can live in the Jordan River, which not only receives (from springs upstream), but also gives (flowing its water to the sea).

Here are three reasons why we need to keep giving:

1. Giving Is a Must

Surely you are familiar with the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The servants who received two and five talents were willing to put them to work, and each gained another two and five talents. But the servant who was given one talent hid it in the ground and produced nothing.

Then what did the Lord say about the servant who did not use his talent?

“But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?’” – Matthew 25:26

Wickedness and laziness are sin. The Lord was angry because that servant did not use his talent, and then He punished him.

“And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 25: 30

Giving is not limited only to material things, such as money or possessions. Give what you have, whatever form it takes—time, attention, help, encouragement, service, love, talent—to others. Everyone can give.

Avoid thoughts like: “I still do not have enough myself; how can I give? What if I become even poorer?”

In reality, those who give never become poor; in fact, they grow richer and richer. It is precisely those who do not give who will become poorer. Why?

“Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.” – Matthew 25:28

The servant who developed five talents received five more talents, so in total he had ten talents. The Lord will take the talent from the one who does not put it to work and add it to the one who already has ten talents.

To give is a must. So, give—pass on what God has given to you for the good of others.

2. You Have Already Been Given Much

Do you believe that the Lord has already given you much?

He has blessed you with time, health, understanding, intelligence, a good education, parents, family, community, friends, work—and above all, salvation. God gave His only Son to save us from death. That is a very costly price, one we could never repay with anything.

"... just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." – Matthew 20:28

If Jesus, who is Lord, was willing to give, then it is only fitting that we also be willing to give. As followers of Jesus, let us follow His example.

Jesus gave His life for us. We have been given much. What have we given to Him?

3. You Will Receive the Reward

There are many verses we can find in the Bible related to “reward.” The Lord promises to give a reward to those who seek Him, give to others, and follow Him sincerely.

“And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will by no means lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:42

How remarkable, that even help in the form of a cup of water is remembered and recorded by the Lord! So if you give even more, imagine how great your reward will be on earth and in heaven.

Besides that, God also asks us to do good to others, even to enemies, without expecting anything in return.

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend without expecting repayment, and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” – Luke 6:35

Do you want to be like the Jordan River that keeps giving its water and becomes a source of life? Or are you quite satisfied being like the Dead Sea, simply letting your blessings stagnate in one place, without producing anything?

For those who claim to be disciples of Jesus, giving is not an option. We have been given much, so we too must give much. Believe that in the Lord nothing is ever in vain. God always remembers and will reward those who keep giving. Amen.

* Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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