You can give without loving; but you cannot love without giving.

God who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? --- Rom 8:32

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. --- Jn 10:11

I lay it down of My own accord. --- Jn 10:18

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. --- 1 Jn 3:16

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GIVE

Merriam Webster:

freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone), i.e., to confer a benefit
cause or allow (someone or something) to have or experience (something), i.e., to provide with or for
make a present of, i.e., to offer a gift
put into the possession others for their use
designate as a share or portion

Cambridge Dictionary

offer something to someone or provide someone with something

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. --- Dt 10:14

The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them. --- Ps 89:11

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I. GIVE GRATUITOUSLY

costs nothing; free of charge
Freely you receive, freely give (Mt 10:8)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. --- Jas 1:17

… your Father in heaven… causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. --- Mt 5:45

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! 12 So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. --- Mt 7:12

… when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. --- Ecc 5:19

Jesus… went around doing good. --- Acts 10:38

… let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. --- Mt 5:16

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II. GIVE GRACIOUSLY

To give graciously is to give with grace in a noble, kind, and pleasant manner… without making ourselves large and belittling recipients to feel shameful or awkward to receive the gift.

1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. --- Mt 6:1-4

Our gifts must be done with true grace and with a noble spirit to bless, enrich, and gladden others.

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III. GIVE GENEROUSLY

give liberally, abundantly, and magnanimously

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had... 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. --- Ac 4:32-35

Lessons from 1st Century Church History

1. Believers were united in and to the cause of the Church (v.32a)

2. Believers shared possessions in common (v.32b)

3. Not a single believer was in need (v.34a)

4. Communal donations were made from time to time (v.35)

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed. --- Pr 19:17

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Some Thoughts

It’s more blessed to give than to receive
There’s greater return of investment in giving

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. --- Lk 6:58, ESV

Sacrificial giving pleases God

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Heb 13:16, ESV

Cheerful giving pleases God
Hospitality is a special form of giving

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” --- Heb 13:2, ESV

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THE CHALLENGE TO GIVE

1. Christian giving, if done in the manner of the Father and the Son, is a virtue which will be manifestly seen and palpably felt in the gift that’s gratuitous, gracious, and generous.

2. Christian reward will come when we give with the right motive. The reward is not our main aim but a by-product: Our Father, who sees what’s done in secret, will reward us. If He deigns to reward us in abundance, it is so not because we seek it, but as Jesus taught: “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” (Lk 6:38).