giving to God

i've a lot to learn from a guy i once met. we didn't part ways that amicably but now I've good memories of him and I hope someday in future we can be friends again.

He said that people are the best investments ever. He has a lot of money so he gives a lot of away to others, to the needy,to his friends, to strangers. I know his parents do the same. Wow.

We know that God saw us people as the best investment ever. He gave His Son to die so we could all be saved. we all know that to give to the needy is giving to God. but is it really because God NEEDS our money? [or time or skills or watever?]

in this time of "economic downturn", should our response be to give give and give still? apparently God thinks so. Ps Mal says God works in a different economical sphere. by grasping to our lives, we'll lose it, but if we give of it freely, we'll gain even more than what we hoped for. how does that work?

*by the way, i dont really know what it means when people say "times are bad"

times have always been bad in malaysia as far as i know. even from when i was born! i dont think times have ever been good in my lifetime, so as far as i'm concerned nothing's changed.

anyway, from

2 Corinthians 9

Sowing Generously

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

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looking back at the past year I can see how God has worked in my life, despite how certain things did not turn out the way i wanted. for eg. the wedding. things did not work out the way we planned but it worked out EVEN BETTER!!
gavin and I didn't know how we were going to afford a place to stay and a car but God's provided both those things AND more!
I'm so glad we have a BIG God to trust in.

I've learnt that by giving, we're not really giving so that someone can be helped. [ok maybe i might be wrong here and someone will comment on this post arguing with me on that] yes that IS an effect of our giving but God owns the whole world and doesn't NEED the 2 cents that we give but giving changes us. and that's why we have to give...so that we allow Him to change our hearts and make His Kingdom and His people our treasure.


For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matt 6:21