Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV) He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.
It is never God’s will for anyone to be in lack. There was no lack in the Garden of Eden; the Israelites experienced no lack in the wilderness, and there was no lack in the Promised Land.
Indeed, we are lending to the Lord when we give to the poor because God’s heart is for them. God has compassion for the orphans, widows, the poor, and the sick. We must recognise that we are stewards of God’s money and channels of His blessings to those He has placed on this earth. He would want us to do what He would do if Jesus were walking on earth today.
Galatians 6:6 (NKJV) Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Matthew 10:40-41 (NKJV) “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
We should bless the ministers of God—pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. Stewardship of God’s resources includes using every resource God has entrusted to us for His purposes. We can bless them using our homes, our cars, even time-share accommodations, or frequent‑flyer miles. Freely share whatever the Lord has placed in your hands. This way, you are participating in the work they do and will share in their rewards.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Greek word for “cheerful” translates as “hilarious.” Therefore, we should be excited about the opportunity to give. Giving allows us to experience God and His faithfulness. It also serves as a way that God has provided for us to partner with Him in ministry. We should also be thankful that He has chosen to entrust us with abundance so that we can excel in every good work and increase the fruit of our righteousness. It is an act of righteousness whenever we choose to give to a good cause, whether it is to bless the poor, support missionaries, or other worthy causes that God has placed in our path.
We should excel in giving if we desire to be imitators of Christ. God loves us so deeply that He gave His Son to redeem us from our sins. Christ willingly gave His life in exchange for our souls. Giving is the very nature of God. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity to give, we should do so cheerfully, knowing that it reflects God’s character within us.
We do not need to be wealthy to give; we can give within our means. Jesus explained the difference between the widow’s and the rich man’s giving (Mark 12:42). It is about our hearts.
Reflection: Do you see giving to the poor and supporting God’s servants as a privilege and partnership with the Lord, or as an obligation?
Sermon Series： Our Free Will Offering
在奉献中与神同工
箴言19:17 怜悯贫穷的就是借给耶和华，他的善行耶和华必偿还。
上帝从来不愿意任何人活在缺乏之中。在伊甸园里没有缺乏；以色列人在旷野经历神的供应，没有缺乏；在应许之地，同样也没有缺乏。
当我们向贫穷人施怜悯时，其实就是“借给耶和华”，因为上帝的心始终眷顾他们。祂怜悯孤儿、寡妇、贫穷的人以及患病的人。我们需要认识到，自己只是神所托付资源的管家，也是祂祝福流通的管道，将祝福带给祂安置在世上的人。若是今天耶稣亲自在地上行走，祂会如何去爱人、帮助人，神也盼望我们这样去行。
加拉太书6:6 在道理上受教的，当把一切需用的供给施教的人。
马太福音10:40–41 “人接待你们，就是接待我；接待我，就是接待那差我来的。人因为先知的名接待先知，必得先知所得的赏赐；人因为义人的名接待义人，必得义人所得的赏赐。
我们也应当祝福神的仆人——无论是牧者、布道家或宣教士。对神所托付资源的好管家，不仅体现在金钱上，也包括使用神交托给我们的各种资源来服事祂的国度。例如：开放我们的家、提供车辆、分享度假住宿、甚至使用航空里程等等。凡神放在我们手中的，都可以慷慨分享。这样，我们不仅参与了他们所做的事工，也同样能分享他们所结出的属灵果子与赏赐。
哥林多后书9:7 各人要随本心所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强，因为捐得乐意的人是神所喜爱的。
这里“乐意”的希腊文原意接近“欢喜到像欢呼一般”。换句话说，我们应当为能够奉献而感到喜乐和兴奋。奉献使我们经历神，也经历祂的信实；同时，这也是神为我们预备的一种方式，使我们能够与祂一同参与祂的事工。
我们也当感恩，因为神愿意信任我们，把丰富托付给我们，使我们可以在各样善事上多多有余，并且使公义的果子不断增长。每一次我们选择为美好的事奉献——无论是帮助贫穷人、支持宣教士，或是支持神放在我们生命中的其他善工——这在神眼中都是一种公义的行动。
如果我们渴望效法基督，就应当在奉献上不断成长。神如此深爱我们，以至于赐下祂的儿子，使我们从罪中得赎；基督也甘心舍命，为要换回我们的生命。给予，本身就是神的性情。 因此，每当我们有机会给予时，都应当带着喜乐去做，因为这正彰显了神的性情在我们里面。
我们不需要非常富有才能奉献，只需在自己的能力范围内给予。耶稣曾以寡妇的两个小钱与富人的奉献作对比（马可福音 12:42），重点不在金额的多少，而在于我们的心态与心志。
默想：
你是否把帮助贫穷人、支持神的仆人，看作是一种与主同工的特权和伙伴关系，还是仅仅把它视为一种责任或义务呢？
讲章系列：甘心乐意的奉献