Spinning

The Holy Spirit works in the people of God to do many things for his glory. Often work is done in secret to benefit others. The LORD used skilled hands to build his temple and the LORD is still using gifted hands for his glory.

Exo 35:25  And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
Exo 35:26  And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
Exo 35:27  And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
Exo 35:28  And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
Exo 35:29  The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
Exo 35:30  And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

My wife weaves beautiful things from colored yarn to give to others. Who can put a value on service for the LORD, but the LORD himself? Keep your hands busy and your mind meditating on his word. All to Jesus I surrender all.

? All to Jesus I Surrender - YouTube

A Bountiful Heart

Paul was speaking of giving to the needs of the persecuted church. There was no set amount to be given, only that which they purposed in their heart to give. God supplies and God gives grace to the giver. Some say we are no longer under the law, but before the law Abraham gave a tithe of 10% to the King of Salem, a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we give it is as to the Lord. Give bountifully and receive of God bountifully.

2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co 9:9  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2Co 9:10  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2Co 9:11  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Giving is of the heart.

Deu 15:7  If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

Finally, the Holy Spirit searches your heart.

Act 5:1  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Act 5:2  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Act 5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Act 5:5  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Do not be too hasty in what you do. Prepare before coming to church. If I were to look in my wallet at the last moment, there would not be much cash, so prepare ahead of time. If you purpose in your heart to give a certain amount, that is fine. Do it from a happy heart, not by deception or from outside pressure. Give to other needs too, where your heart leads you to give.

Pity

Most of us have helped the poor at some time in some way. A hungry person needs food. The local mission is setup to provide meals and lodging for a time. Every time we give unto the poor we give unto the LORD. Sometimes we give money that is used for drugs or alcohol and it is as if we were giving to the devil, but the LORD loves a cheerful giver.

Pro 19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Pity: to be gracious, to show favor. Isn't this what God has done for us through Christ Jesus? We were forgiven much and given grace, so we are required to forgive others their trespasses.

Mat 18:32  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 

Mat 18:33  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

To have pity on the poor is to lend to the LORD. Every kind deed will be rewarded.

Mar 9:41  For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

 Mat 23:14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 


Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Do not give to be rewarded by men, but give to be rewarded of the LORD, from a heart of love as if giving to the Lord.

Hear, Give and Receive

Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

We should be careful to hear the word of God, for it is truth and life to the hearer. What we hear we share with others. There is a principle here; first we receive from God then we give it to others, He will keep giving us more as we do this.

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.

Mark 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

For he that has what? He that has heard the word of God and has obeyed the word, sharing with others; to him more will be given. One person entered our Bible study and said she was not interested in hearing God's word, the person just wanted fellowship. To me the best fellowship is with God, in his word, hearing his voice. In this way we increase. If we are faithful hearers and doers of his word, he will give us more. I want more of God, more wisdom and more usefulness to him. If we hear and share, he will give the increase. My words are empty, his words are food to our Spirit, the light and the truth of God for an eternal increase.

A final thought. Satan wants us to use our own thoughts, in fellowship without speaking the word of God. In this way he introduces his ideas and thoughts, that are contrary to the sound word of God. Debate and strife follow in these "fellowship" chat rooms. Do not put down your sword, the word of God. When you least expect it, the enemy will come at you with a pack of his wolves to devour you. Wear the armour of God and speak the word of God in the love of our Lord. Who knows, maybe someone will hear and another will receive salvation through your witness?