As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” We are entering the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, and you probably have already been asked to contribute to some worthy cause. It is, after all, a season for giving. With that in mind, I thought I’d share a few thoughts about that subject. In fact, when thinking about this article, I was wondering if there was some other word I could use besides “giving,” but I came up empty. What better word could a person use anyway? GIVE! Isn’t that the word God uses when He talks about our salvation? “For God so loved the world that He gave…”(John 3:16).

First of all, giving involves the heart. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” As has been said many times, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” It’s not difficult for a person to give when he or she loves. We love with our hearts, and when we give to the object of our love, our giving is generous and joyful.

If we have been saved by the grace of God, then Jesus Christ is the object of our love, for He died on the cross of Calvary to wash away our sins. Not only that, but when we love somebody, we usually love the same things they love. The Lord Jesus Christ loves the church and He loves lost souls around the world. If there is any way to show our love to Jesus it is by witnessing to lost people and by giving our tithes and offerings to support the ministries of the church both at home and around the world.

Second, giving affects the life. The Bible says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil…”(I Timothy 6:10a). The person that hoards money is a selfish, lonely, and miserable person. A generous person, on the other hand, is a joyful person. The way we give, how much we give, and our attitude toward giving determines much about our life.

Paul the Apostle wrote in II Corinthians 9:7b, “For God loveth a cheerful giver.” When you learn the lesson that Jesus taught His disciples, that it is more blessed to give than to receive, then you will have learned one of life’s most valuable lessons. Yes, giving will affect every part of your life, and it will affect it for your good.

Third, giving glorifies the Lord. The unsaved man will never understand why you would give ten percent or more of your income to the Lord. We give the tithe and even above the tithe not only because we are commanded to give, but because we love the Lord and want to obey Him. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Giving is an act of obedience, and obedience glorifies God. What could possibly bring more joy to a parent’s heart than to hear someone say, “You have such obedient children!” Obedience breeds respect and honor. Remember the motive in giving: to please and honor God. As to the method, He demands the tithe and He deserves the offering. Certainly He will bless you when you honor and obey Him.

I remember years ago when I was an associate pastor to Dr. John McCall, that a lady in the church was upset because of yet another appeal that went out for folks to give toward. She went to Bro. McCall and said, “As far as I can see, this thing of following Jesus is just one big give, give, give!” He said to her, “Ma’am, you just given one of the best definitions of the Christian that I’ve ever heard!”

Yes, there is no better word for GIVING. Every member tithing, every member giving, and God being glorified. Be a giving Christian!