Jeremiah 1:4-10

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ ‘Alas, Sovereign LORD,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’ But the LORD [...]

Proverbs 11:25

“A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.” – Proverbs 11:25 (NRSV)

Consider: Our motive to give shouldn’t be so that we can get something in return. It does seem to be a natural side effect of giving, though.

Job 2:9-10

“Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” – [...]

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (ESV)

Consider: Usually, the best gift we can give to anyone is the gift of ourselves – our time, our talent, our energy, and so on. God did [...]