RECEIVING MORE FROM GOD THAN WE GIVE
The biblical Word of God says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And the Son Jesus Christ says, anyone who gives anything to God, or on his behalf, will “receive a hundred times as much in this present age…and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:28-30).
SOME PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE WHO RECEIVED MORE
A POOR WIDOW. In the Old Testament, during a dearth, a widow gave up the last of the food and water she had for herself and her son to a hungry prophet of the Lord named Elijah. The Lord replenished her supply of food and water until he caused the drought to end. Moreover, the Lord enabled Elijah to raise her son back to life after he died (1 Kings 17:7-24).
DISCIPLES. Peter and disciples gave up their livelihood of fishing to follow Jesus. Peter told Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you!” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel who will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:28-30).
The Lord said, “you will surely be rewarded” if you deny yourself or do anything for him or the least of those he loves (Matthew 10:42; Matt. 25:40). “If we suffer [with him], we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
WE RECEIVE MORE
Considering more that the Word says we receive from God:
- The Lord God made us and everything thing that exist through his Son Jesus Christ (John !:1-4, 14).
- God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
- Jesus was in heaven with God the Father, in the form of God, but he took the form of man that he might die for the sins of the world. (Philippians 2:6-8).
- He died for us while we were still sinners and enemies of God (Romans 5:8).
- In him we live and move and have our being (Romans 17:28).
- He supplies all our needs according to his riches in heaven (Philippians 4:19).
- In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
- God the Father’s will: “is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40).
GOD’S LOVE AND GIVING INSPIRES US TO GIVE
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). We ought to know that “God’s [loving] kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4).
We cannot give to God all that we received from him; but he says if we give willingly what he has enabled us to give by his Spirit it is acceptable to God (2 Corinthians 8:12): “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”(Luke 10:27). Our loving Lord and Savior said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
For those who love the Lord with all their heart, he has gone to prepare a place for us where we will live with God in heaven forever, and receive an eternal crown of righteousness (John 14:2-3; 2 Timothy 4:8).
