By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)
While many give away and donate to many worthwhile causes today, giving when it is a sacrifice . . . when it hurts . . . is what God applauds. You see, giving for a tax write off , to please a boss or co-worker, or for a school contest is not sacrificial. In fact, that is not sacrifice at all. yet giving from your very own need . . . now that is sacrificial giving!
Fasting from a meal and donating that meal money to a soup kitchen is sacrificial. Sacrificing a summer vacation to serve on the mission field is sacrificial giving. Giving up some CHRISTmas funds to purchase gifts for needy children is sacrificial giving. Sacrificing leisure time to support and mentor a young teen is sacrificial giving. Doing without so others may have is sacrificial giving!
God gave His only Son to suffer and die as a sacrifice! In fact, He still gives to us today . . . all we could ever think or imagine . . . what grace, what mercy, what love! We are to reflect that sacrificial giving in our daily lives today so others can experience the love of God.
We must practice sacrificial giving daily!
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