GOD GIVES Posted 9.23.08
What do a note of encouragement, money, God’s Word, and chocolate all have in common? They are my favorite items to give away! What about you? What do you love to give? Why?
Giving is universal yet extremely person-specific. By that I mean we human beings vary greatly in our giving preferences. My grandmother used to love to slip us kids a $10 or $20 bill when we were in our early teens. Many women in my Bible studies excel in giving baked goods (yum!) as well as cards and letters of encouragement. Several area businesses enjoy giving away pens, calendars, and coffee mugs imprinted with their logos, while churches often give away Christian literature and Bibles.
We are a giving people, and we come by it naturally, or should I say supernaturally? Our heavenly Father embodies the concept of giving in its purest form. From Genesis to Revelation this verb can be spotted after His Name multiple times. Let’s examine a few of those passages and learn a little more about God’s way of giving.
God Gives Physical Necessities
In the creation account (Genesis 1) God was forming this new world. When He created the man and woman He basically gave everything to them, which means He gives it to you and me as well. In summary, He gave them a place to live, food to eat, work to do, and each other for companionship.
He gave Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob similar provisions as He sought to build up the nation of Israel. When Moses brought the people out of Egypt, God gave manna, quail, and water (Exodus 16-17). He kept them safe and gave them godly leaders. To Solomon He gave unimaginable wealth (1 Kings 3:13). In the New Testament we read of God providing food, healing, and hospitality as well as accommodations, freedom from prison chains, and faithful friends.
God cares about your physical needs. In Matthew 6:31-34 Jesus said, “31So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
God cares and He gives. What do you really need today?
Of course the key word in that question is need. Our world easily confuses wants with needs. When my son Brandon was two he used to say, “I want-need.” Exactly! We allow our wants to become our needs. Today is a great day to examine our life for needs versus wants and appreciate the way God gives to provide all of our vital necessities. What do you lack?
God Gives Spiritual Necessities
More important than the physical needs, God gives all we need to thrive spiritually. First we must realize our need to grow spiritually; then we must understand its importance above the physical.
God gave of His Spirit generously throughout the Old and New Testaments. In both eras He gave wisdom, discernment, His Word, His promises, grace, peace, rest, knowledge, revelation, answers, victory, eternal life, and much, much more.
In the New Testament He taught us more about the gifts of His Spirit (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4) and protection in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6). The message is clear that He will give us all we need to excel as His children. What do you lack?
We serve a God who gives. The problem is, He gives and gives, but often no one receives. How do we put ourselves in a position to receive the gifts God has for us? Let’s look at Joshua 1 for some answers to that question.
In this chapter alone are 11 uses of the verb “give.” God loves to bless His children! But when you are given a gift, you must participate.
Think about birthday gifts. Many require unwrapping. Some have to be received from a delivery person or even picked up. Those who enjoy long, drawn-out surprises may send you on a treasure hunt. We often need to put them together and read instructions, as well as interact with them such as with a gaming system or electronic device. Every one of them is meant to be used appropriately. Verbs are for all of us!
Joshua 1 explores some of the verbs God has in mind as He gives to His children.
God Gives as We Move Forward
JOS 1:1After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. 3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. 5No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
What does it mean to move forward and receive God’s gifts?
We must begin with the proper foundation. “The LORD said…” is the most important phrase in this passage. Knowing Him personally and persistently listening for His voice enables us to move forward properly.
We must move beyond the hindrances. I have no doubt that Joshua and the people of Israel were emotionally paralyzed when Moses died. He was their central force, their leader, the one who kept them on task. Pain and disappointment surely dominated the atmosphere. How easy it would have been for them to dry up right there on the edge of God’s Promised Land, but God was ready to give. “I will give you…” God says repeatedly. The only condition was Joshua and the people had to put one foot in front of the other and receive the gift.
Our hindrance may not be pain and disappointment, but possibly fear, resentment, anger, selfishness, laziness, or any number of unfortunate hurts or sins that block our way.
We must embrace the whole package. We don’t throw away part of a gift. Can you imagine a puzzle without all the pieces or a bicycle without one of the tires? How about a deck of cards with no queens or a guitar with no strings? The gift God gave the Israelites was huge and would require a lot of diligent work and war. Are you willing to battle and sweat for the gifts God gives you?
Too many people want the benefits of Christianity with any of the effort needed. Jesus provided all the effort for salvation, but the abundant life beyond salvation requires human energy.
I was once given a sewing machine. I tried to move forward with it. I took a sewing class and everything, but I confess that gift is no longer with us.
I have also received beautiful journals as gifts which I am happy to report are filled to overflowing! With human gifts we must decipher which suit us. With God’s gifts, He has already made the determination.
What are you doing with God’s gifts?
God Gives as We Live Out His Word
JOS 1:6"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
In order to receive all the benefits of God’s Word we must own it, read it, process it, and live it out! I have listed several benefits of His Word – there are many more!
His Word is Encouragement! Direction! Caution. Specifics. Promises. Peace. The Final Word.
God gives His Word, which is one of our most precious gifts; but as we live it out it opens the door for even more of His gifts to operate in our lives. Each step Joshua took in obeying God’s Word led to the reception of additional gifts of the Spirit and physical necessities and blessings.
God gives abundantly, completely, and without reservation as we walk according to His Word.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
“My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19
“God gives the Spirit without limit.” John 3:34
God Gives When We Use Our Gifts Appropriately
JOS 1:10So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11"Go through the camp and tell the people, `Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' "
JOS 1:12But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13"Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: `The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' 14Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers 15until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise."
Find your role and fill it. God made it plain in this conversation that Joshua was the chosen leader over all the people. The officers under him were leaders in their own right. The parents were leading their small children and I’m sure there were other acceptable leadership roles. The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had a specific call. Their men had one call; their women and children another. Everyone has a specific role. When we use our gifts concurrently is when the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God thrive. 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12 all describe gifts of God, and each passage emphasizes that these gifts are for building others up. Period! Never for self glorification. Always for God’s honor and praise.
What has God given you – physically and spiritually? How are using it to build up His Kingdom?
JOS 1:16Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"
Understand the big picture as much as possible. The 2.5 tribes mentioned here understood God’s will for them, for Joshua, and for the situation. If you read the entire book of Joshua you learn that many embraced God’s vision but some did not; for example, Achan in Joshua 7.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (Jesus talking)
God Gives the Greatest Gift of All – Himself!
We’ve spoken of the gifts of physical necessities and blessings, the gifts of the Spirit, and the importance of the recipients’ participation in the process. But I have truly saved the best for last. As you read through Joshua 1 and through the entire Bible, the most amazing and precious gift God gives us to cherish is Himself. Oh amazing grace!
Read these verses aloud and receive them for yourself from God, “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you…(verse 5), the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go…(verse 9), the LORD your God is giving you…(verses 11,13,15) (He was obviously going to be there!), May the LORD your God be with you…”(verse17) (they understood!).
He gives us Himself! What more could we ask for?
What is He giving you? What are you doing with it? How can you follow His example?
God Gives
1. Make a list of the many gifts God has given you – physical and spiritual. Spend time in praise and thanksgiving for them all and examine how you’ve used them.
2. Make a list of the gifts you’ve given recently – physical and spiritual (spiritual meaning any ways you have used your spiritual gifts). Who is God asking you to give to today?
3. Has He given you any gifts recently? Something new and fresh?
4. In what way do you need to move forward to receive more of God’s gifts? Is something holding you back?
5. How has His Word opened up to you this week? Read and study Psalm 119.
6. Is there someone you can help receive God’s gifts as Joshua helped the Israelites?
7. Are you using all of your God-given gifts as He desires? Any changes or improvements needed?
8. Study the following verses with a focus on our God who gives. What is God teaching you about giving in these verses?
Galatians 3:5
John 3:34
1 Corinthians 15:38
Revelation 1:1
John 14:27
Jeremiah 27:5
9. Read through Joshua 1. Examine each verb or verb phrase attributed directly to God as He was giving. How is giving to you in a similar way? How does He want you to join with Him in those activities?
10. Find as many verses as you can about God giving. Read, study, and apply!