In the Book of Acts, while Paul was in Miletus, on his way to Jerusalem, he sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus. When they came to him, he gave his last instructions on how to take care of the congregation, feeding them with the Word of God; and warning them to watch, for the enemy was going to come in and try to draw disciples for themselves. He reminded them that Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35. Why did Jesus say that? He wanted us to know that the more we give of ourselves, our talents, our tithes and offerings, the more we will receive. We can never give more than what the Father will give back to us. Love motivates us to give with a willing heart. Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to lay down His life for us. He gave us His all, holding back nothing. "Who for the joy that was set before Him endued the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2b. Jesus gave His all and in the end He had more than He had before; He had souls to present to the Father, those who would be with Him throughout eternity.
When we open our hearts and hands to give to God, He takes what we give and multiplies it according His calculations and uses it for His glory. Then He fills our hearts and hands according to His riches in glory, with His abundant blessings. Jesus said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38. Whatever we give to others, that is what we will receive back. If we give out of the abundance of our hearts, with willingness and love, the Father will multiply it back to us, a thousand times over. If we give stingily and holding back, don't expect to receive and abundant blessing. It's not all about money, which is the first thing that pops into the mind, when you say give. There is so much more that God wants us to give, that we are not willing to give. He wants our whole heart, first of all. And once He has that, the rest of the giving is easy. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1.
God has given each of us gifts and talents to be used for His glory and kingdom and to be a blessing to those whom He places in our lives. How many blessings have we held back from someone; and how many blessings have we not received from the Father? Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me." (Matthew 25:35-40.) You see, when we give abundantly, the blessings come back to us from God, and He never runs out. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:7-8. The Father loves those who give with a glad heart. He would rather us give one penny with love than thousands with bitterness and hatred in our hearts. "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20. God always gives back abundantly.
