There is power in sharing

During a Christmas holiday classroom party, a young girl comes to her teacher with a gift bag that was unmistakably reused. As naïve as any unpretentious child, the youngster states, “Here, Ms. Sussi, my mom got this present two years ago, and she did not want it. She called everyone in our family; they did not want it either. She said to bring it to you!”

In Acts 2, we learn that the early church grew through sharing. The New Living Translation brings the idea of ‘sharing’ to the forefront. Four times, some form of ‘share’ appears (42-47). What was the result of their sharing? God added to their fellowship. Sharing remains essential to the modern church’s growth.

The early church did not merely pawn off unwanted gifts like the child’s mother in our opening narrative. No, they sold possessions, ensuring others did not go without. According to Scripture, their sharing resulted in God increasing the number of people being saved daily. Sharing was an intentional part of the early church movement.

Today, God’s kingdom is often built in ordinary moments. God still provides ample opportunities for believers to share with the unbelieving world through ordinary moments.

What does that look like to the modern church? Here are some thoughts.

Share a sincere compliment, an impromptu porch visit. Share physical strength, fresh-baked cookies or a freshly cooked meal. Share a genuine smile, a warm fireside chat or knowledge. Jesus said that everyone to whom much is given, of that one much will be required, and from the one to whom they entrusted much, they will demand more (Luke 12:48b).

Sharing increases our generosity and helps others grow in generosity. Please understand that this is not merely about money. God loves to be generous. We grow in understanding God when we become generous like Him. One way that we mirror His image is through our generosity.

I’ve heard it said: “We can’t out give God.” Sharing can be an act of worship, especially when we share in obedience. Sometimes, our sharing is about money.

Often, the Holy Spirit whispers a figure to our hearts that might seem ‘too much.’ Listen, God has helped us earn these funds; we didn’t earn them alone, but please understand that God does not always return dollar for dollar what we share with others.

I have often shared money, but God has multiplied my generosity back through new friendships, ideas, creativity, time and rest, to name a few ways He multiplied my generosity back. I only mention this because some teach that God is obligated to repay dollar for dollar with interest.

It is Biblical to say that we cannot out give God; it is not Biblical to say that God will always pay us back dollar for dollar with a thirty, sixty or hundred-fold increase.

Neither is it Biblical to say God is obligated to repay our generosity. He may bring an increase, but sometimes the thirty, sixty or hundred-fold increase is improved health, solid friendships and others finding salvation.

God loves those who share cheerfully. Ask Him for opportunities to share and watch how He adds fulfillment to your life and increase to His kingdom.