Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
When Kristi and I were just married, we did not have very much. I was still interning at our church, going to school, and working at a pool supply store. Kristi was in her first year of teaching at a Christian school. Neither of us was earning very much. We had just enough to pay rent and cover the little bills we had. Yes, we consistently gave to our church. We understood the biblical exercises of tithing Malachi 3:10-11, and to be generous as God directs 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. We saw the practice of consistent giving as a blessing and an act of our obedience in faith. With that, we did not have much to buy things for our apartment and very little for our food budget. We managed and found creative ways to stretch our dollars. But what a blessing it was when people would give us food and furniture. Even some brand-new furniture! Years later, we looked around our house and it was full of blessings from others. One blessed giver said her husband was talking about how we needed a new couch and he said to his wife, “Our couch is in good shape, but we want to replace it, so why not give it away to Mike and Kristi!” We had that couch for years.
Because of how people modeled to us this kind of generosity, we also like to give stuff away. A few years ago, we gave away a couch and a dining room table. That table had been one of those items we had received as a gift. Someone mentioned to us that we could have made some good money on those items, but seeing the joy and excitement on the faces of that young couple was priceless. Sure, I have tried to sell stuff, but that question keeps coming back, ‘Why not do good and give it away?’
God does want us to be giving.
Matthew 5:42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 John 3:17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,when it is in your power to do it.
Jesus even said in Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
So why not do good and give?! Who could you bless with a gift or something you really don’t need anymore? Maybe clean out your closet or declutter your garage. Why not get those things out of storage and find a new home for them? You could bring joy and excitement and truly help another. Sure, also give some of your hard-earned money to helpful organizations. Be wise, of course, and check out that organization. But let’s be people who do good and give.
At church we learn about the giving nature of God and are encouraged to be generous like the Lord. If you do not already have a church to attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. We are a fun, welcoming church and would love for you to connect with us! Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our Sunday gatherings. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Seeking to continue to do good and give along with you,
Messages From Mike 
