Are Thankfulness and Generosity key to a Blessed Life?

[St. SteVen]

Are we giving expect to receive a blessing?

No. That's not the motivation, or shouldn't be.

But in practice, there is a dynamic that is typical.
When we are generous, it tends to return to us.

Luke 6:38 NIV
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

[

 

[St. SteVen]

I was just thinking about the opposite of generosity. To withhold.
Looking for the scripture about withholding wages overnight when you are able to pay now.
I did find these.

Proverbs 3:27 NIV
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.

Proverbs 11:24 NIV
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Isaiah 32:6 NIV
For fools speak folly,
their hearts are bent on evil:
They practice ungodliness
and spread error concerning the Lord;
the hungry they leave empty
and from the thirsty they withhold water.

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[St. SteVen]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True, or false? Let's discuss.

]

 

[Windmill Charge]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True, or false? Let's discuss.

]

ForChristians doing good is not done to obtain a reward, they do good as an act of love for Jesus.

Yes if we have been blessed in some way, then we should share that blessing with others and particularly with those less fortunate than ourselves.

Here's a question.
Why do atheists etc give to charities. What is there motivation?

 

[Verily]

I thought Jesus said to give without expecting something in return (Luke 6:35).

What he means here is that when you do good unto others don't expect anything to come back by way of them because in the same verse it still speaks of your reward being great. For example here

Like 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Because our reward really comes from Him as it says in Ephes 6:8 says

Ephes 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Because it even follows the same in Luke 6:38

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

So our reward is always with God. We should not expect our kindnesses to be returned to us by either those who will love us back (or pay us back) or return the favor but those who cannot

Luke 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

Luke 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Then ofcourse there are also those who despitefully use us also (who are eventually to be found out) for whom we are told to simply pray for.

Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

 

[Verily]

ForChristians doing good is not done to obtain a reward, they do good as an act of love for Jesus.

Yes if we have been blessed in some way, then we should share that blessing with others and particularly with those less fortunate than ourselves.

Here's a question.
Why do atheists etc give to charities. What is there motivation?

Tax write off?

(Sorry, I couldnt resist)