STEP 8:  Learn to Give

Learning to give is one of the first lessons God teaches new believers. There is good reason for it too! Giving is important to God. In fact, one-sixth of the Books of Matthew, Mark and Luke and 12 of Jesus' 38 parables have to do with money.

There are three reasons why God places so much emphasis on our learning to give.

First, learning to give is important because of a divine pattern. God wants us to be like Him. He said, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 20:7; I Peter 1:13-16). And since God is a giver by nature, He wants us to learn to be givers as well. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Giving glorifies God because it makes us more like God.

Second, learning to give is important because giving is a biblical principle. Throughout the Bible we read about the principles of giving.

Giving is to be systematic (I Corinthians 16:1,2); it is to be proportionate to your ability to give (I Corinthians 16:2); it is to be sacrificial (Mark 12:43,44); it is to be spontaneous (Acts 2:45)-and more. Early in our Christian lives we should learn the biblical principles about giving.

Third, learning to give is important because of thankful praise.

Heart and hand go together. When your heart is filled with praise to God, your hand will express that praise by giving. Who is more deserving of your thanks than God? He loved you; He sent His Son to die for you; He saved you. Now you are taking steps to be conformed to the image of His dear Son, Jesus. And one of those steps is learning to give. After all, isn't "giving" the last half of the word "thanksgiving"?

God loves a giver-one who has learned to give thankfully and cheerfully (II Corinthians 9:7). Each week set aside some of your time for God. You may do that through your quiet time or through service to Him in your local church. And each week set aside some of your income for God. You may then give it to your church and other ministries that have blessed you.

But whatever you do, get into the habit of giving back to God a portion of what He has generously given to you. Giving will make you a happy Christian, and it is one of the important first steps for the new Christian.

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