RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS Part 5 – Rebekah
(Hebrews 12:1 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
“Give generously to others.”
(Genesis 24:12-15 NIV) Then he prayed, “LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’–let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder.
THE REBEKAH PRINCIPLE
- You can’t be generous and legalistic at the same time.
(2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NLT) You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
- You can’t walk the second mile until you have walked the first.
(Luke 16:10 NIV) “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
- You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.
(Matthew 6:19-20 NIV) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
- You can’t wait for the feeling. It will follow.
(Matthew 6:21 NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
FINAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
- Even the smallest acts of generosity make a difference.
(Matthew 10:42 NIV) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
- When you give, the impact of your generosity often outlives you.
(John 4:38 NIV) I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
- When you give, you give to the Lord.
(Matthew 25:40 NLT) “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!’