Author Topic: The Grace Of Giving  (Read 2117 times)

Lorenzo

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The Grace Of Giving
« on: March 14, 2009, 02:56:12 PM »
In 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter talks about some very important qualities that we as Christians ought to strive to add to our lives. These qualities have often been referred to as the Christian Graces. It seems strange that that particular term is used since the word 'grace' is not found in this passage. But consider the original Greek word for 'grace' and its meaning. Grace is from the Greek word charis/5485, which is found approximately 156 times in the NT. This definition is given by Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon:

   1. That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness

   2. Good will, loving-kindness, favor; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

As seen, there are 2 aspects to grace:

    - That 2nd one was God's grace bestowed upon us (one we usually talk about, as we should)

    - But the 1st part of that definition is also important

    - It is apparently referring to something we ourselves may produce or experience

    - We ourselves may say or do some things that are gracious, things that afford joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness. We can 'grace' other people with good things.

And so how does that fit with these qualities that Peter mentions? If we have these qualities, then we will be the source of graciousness. If we have added to our faith such qualities as moral excellence, self-control, godliness, and brotherly love, then indeed we and those around us will be blessed with joy, pleasure, delight, and loveliness.

Or, as Peter says in v8-11, if we grow in these graces, then we will neither be barren nor useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He says that these qualities can keep us from falling; they can help us and others make it to Heaven!

http://www.biblelessons.com/giving.html

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simplylee

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Re: The Grace Of Giving
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2009, 03:32:09 PM »
Grace is GOD's policy, everything is provided by GOD.


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hofelina

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Re: The Grace Of Giving
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2009, 03:53:15 PM »
Doy Lorenzo, this is a wonderful posting. To tell you, you are a grace to us because you use this media to impart to us the beauty and grace of God´s love, in other words the Holy Spirit always enlighten your mind. May your tribe increase.

Manay

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Lorenzo

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Re: The Grace Of Giving
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2009, 03:54:46 PM »
Why Should We Give?

1. We should give because God has given so much to us.

2 Corinthians 8:9

Remember the 2 aspects of the word 'grace'.

    a) Paul shows in this verse a true connection between the two.

    b) God's giving to us is a demonstration of His grace.

    c) God's grace should increase our grace!

    d) Realizing all that God has given to us ought to greatly motivate us to be more giving.

    e) Have you ever been greatly moved or motivated by someone who gave you something special?

    f) How did it make you feel? What did it make you want to do?

2. We should give because we want to be more like Jesus.

http://www.biblelessons.com/giving.html

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Lorenzo

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Re: The Grace Of Giving
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2009, 03:57:35 PM »
Doy Lorenzo, this is a wonderful posting. To tell you, you are a grace to us because you use this media to impart to us the beauty and grace of God´s love, in other words the Holy Spirit always enlighten your mind. May your tribe increase.

Manay

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Lorenzo

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Re: The Grace Of Giving
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2009, 04:13:05 PM »
The Joy of Giving

Acts 20: 33-35 (near end of Paul's 3rd missionary journey, called for elders from Ephesus to meet him)

    a) Sometimes preachers use words like duty, obedience, love, stewardship in an effort to inspire greater giving; sometimes they talk about the evils of the love of money, and they list all the good works that need to be done

    b) All that is fine, but Paul gave a different reason to give: he went back to the example and the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

    c) Some of the happiest people in the world are parents and grandparents who love to give to their kids and grandkids

    d) Happy people are not those who have a great deal, but rather happy people are those who give a great deal!

Remember where else we see Jesus using the word "blessed?" Back in the beatitudes in His sermon on the mount, recorded in Matthew chapter 5. Remember what the word "blessed" really means? It's from the Greek word makarios/3107, meaning "blessed, happy!"

2 Corinthians 9:7 "God loves a cheerful giver." The word cheerful is from Greek word hilaros/2431, from which we get the word hilarious. That's when you're just beside yourself with joy and happiness! Our Lord wants us to learn that we will be a lot happier when we give than when we receive!

Mark 10:17-22 Jesus said: You've got to start giving, but the rich young ruler was more concerned with having!

Luke 12:16-21 The rich farmer thought he would be happy because he had a great deal of wealth, but Jesus knew better. Jesus knew the only way for him (and anyone) to be truly happy was to start giving.

Luke 12:15 (Jesus gives the reason for telling this parable)

Happiness comes, true joy comes when one is freed from his slavery to things, when one realizes that joy is not found in having or receiving, but it is found in giving!

http://www.biblelessons.com/giving.html



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