Goodness—Giving

Goodness—Giving

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Jas. 1:17. “There is none who does good, no, not one.” Rom. 3:12.

We see that these two scriptures are in agreement. It is also written that “No one is good but One, that is, God.”

What we give is a direct indication of our goodness. There is no darkness, no evil, in God. Therefore He always gives what is good and profitable. God gave us His Son. He did not come to be served or to demand from others. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give . . . .” Matt. 20:28. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Cor. 9:15.

On the other hand: a person’s demands are an indicator of his wickedness. The leech says, “Give to me! Give to me!” It never gets enough. The unmerciful servant says, “Pay me what you owe!” Matt. 18:28. Thus we can understand why the wise man says, “But he who hates bribes [gifts] will live.” Prov. 15:27.

By faith, by reckoning ourselves crucified with Christ and ourselves dead to sin, and through the precious promises, we partake of divine nature—partake of God’s goodness. His goodness is evident by the fact that He gives.

To the same extent that we have partaken of His nature through the obedience of faith, to that same extent we will do good—we will give—something that no other person under the sun can do. Rom. 3:12; Eccl. 1:2.

The gospel is an announcement of God’s goodness. It is a message about what He has given and what He is prepared to give.

The fruits of this good seed are what we give to each other. See 1 John 3:16-17; Hebrews 13:16; Galatians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-14. Examine these scriptures carefully and for a prolonged period of time.

Greed, which is the opposite of giving, must—according to these scriptures—be the greatest evil, the greatest devilry that is found. And this is true, for what is its source if it isn’t the power of the darkness of unbelief? And this is precisely why the world is judged—because they would not believe.

Who would possibly want to lose what he has unless he is assured of receiving something in return? I recommend to everyone, to you who have been sanctified by that one sacrifice—through the one gift once and for all—meditate on the following word: “Give, and it will be given to you . . . .” Luke 6:38.

Do you believe it? Do not lie against the truth, against reality, against fact! Your life and your deeds show what you believe. They speak louder than many a solemn declaration.

I wonder if both words and thoughts don’t usually go like this: “When I become rich, when I have so and so much, then I will do many good things!” But who is there who really thinks that if only he gave away what he had, then he would really become rich? Blessed is everyone who believes that!

The state of affairs among converted people is pitiful. I don’t think there is one among hundreds who knows anything else than to give of his abundance. However, that is not the worst of it. There is something else that is many times worse, and that is that people still believe that they are still generous and charitable.

God help all of us! Amen.