Give, Save, Live

Like most kids growing up, I loved getting new toys. However, I would sometimes do some-thing that would really annoy my parents. When my friends would come over to visit, I would take paper and wrap up my toys as gifts and then give them away to my friends. 

My parents would often wonder why I was giving away toys they had spent money to buy. I would always tell them “Remember, it’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Plus, I just loved to see the smiles my friends faces when I gave them an unexpected gift. 

Today, instead of giving away toys I give my time, my talent and my treasure. That’s what the Bible calls stewardship. The biblical concept of stewardship is that nothing we have is really ours to begin with. We have simply been entrusted with it so we can be a blessing to others. God said to Abraham, “I will bless you so that you can be a blessing!”

The Bible tells us that Abraham was rich and increased in goods. How did he become so wealthy you might ask? The answer is simple. He started with giving. The bible tells us that Abraham gave a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek the priest. (Gen 14:20)

Genesis 14 is the first mention of tithing in Scripture. As a result of Abraham’s faithfulness in tithe and commitment to giving, God blessed him with more than he could ever desire. That was the secret to his success. Growing up, I learned the concept of Give, Save, Live. 

First, we ought to give our tithe and offerings back to God. Secondly, we save a portion of our income and then finally we live on the rest. 

I challenge, you to try this proposal. Remember, life is not about getting, it’s about giving. And while we don’t have to give away our toys, we can have an amazing satisfaction in giving our time, talent and treasure to invest in the Kingdom of God.