REAL LOVE REALLY GIVES
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I am thinking about giving!
What is giving and what does giving show? What does not giving show?
TEXT:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten son, that whosoever
believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.
2 Cor. 9:7 EVERY ONE ACCORDING AS THEY PURPOSETH IN THEIR HEART,
SO LET HIM GIVE: NOT GRUDGINGLY, OR OF NECESSITY: FOR GOD LOVETH THE
CHEERFUL GIVER.
How much does God love us?
SO LOVED, this means the concept of a great magnitude of LOVE.
So indicates or suggest to the great extent or great degree.
God so loved that He gave, SO describes God’s love to the Nth degree.
God knew the day the acorn seed, (or whatever kind of tree seed used for the cross) fell
to the ground ... and God blessed that little seed and sent it rain and sunshine and watched
that tree grow ... I can’t understand a love like that.
If I knew this seed’s growth would bring death to my son, I would hide it is some dry,
dark hole and never let it germinate to grow.
THREE TREES (Unknown)
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing
their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a
treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I
could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take
kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world.
Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and
straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and
look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to
them I am reaching. And I will be the greatest tree of all time and people
will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of
woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This
looks like a strong tree, think I should be able to sell the wood to a
carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew
that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should
be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he
knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was very frightened
because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.
One of the woodsmen said, "This looks like a good sturdy tree. I don’t have
anything in mind for it, but it should serve someone well enough," and he cut
it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box
for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not
at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was delivered to the shipyard
and was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty
ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large
pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and women came to the barn. That night the woman gave
birth. There was no place to rest the tiny infant but the feed box that was
made from the first tree. And so they placed the baby on the soft hay which
the feed box held. The man, a carpenter himself, wished that he could have
made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could
feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest
treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got into the fishing boat made from the second
tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the
water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to
keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said
"peace" and the storm stopped. At that moment, the tree knew that it had
carried the King of Kings.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the
streets as people mocked the man who carried it. When they came to a stop,
the man was nailed to the tree and raised up into the air to die at the top
of a hill. That tree came to realize that it had been as close to God as was
ever possible because Jesus had been crucified on it
God’s plan is often hidden from the eyes and the hearts of His people.
But even though the plan and purpose is hidden, GOD HAS A PLAN.
WE MUST LEARN TO TRUST COMPLETELY THE PLAN OF THE FATHER.
Often the plan of God does not develop and grow as we expected but
God’s plan is before us. We accomplish this bt giving.
We don’t always know what God’s plans are for us. We just know that His ways
are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Love grew the tree that He knew would be the old rugged cross.
There is no greater definition of Love.
Can I tell you that GIVING is a sign of love, much more than a kiss. You can give without
love, but you can never love without giving. God loved us SO much that He gave.
WHAT YOU GIVE TELLS A LOT ABOUT YOU!
THE ATTITUDE IN WHICH YOU GIVE TELLS ABOUT YOU!
I heard Paul Brannan, the missionary to south America say, " In the USA we spend more on
pet care, dog and cat food than on missions. And we believe in a real Hell."
Paul went on to say that in the USA, we spend more on cable and satellite dishes and premium
channel packages than we give to missions. He went on to tell that the Christian home should not be
beaming this pornography into the home. Paul is right!
I heard a story recently where a Christian Mom and Dad was piping this sin and pornography into
their home and was very disappointment when they caught their son watching X-rated movies,
in his bedroom. I am disappointed in this young man, but my heart knows, that if his parents had
made wiser choices, this young man might not have had this temptation at home?
We can’t afford to give to missions, but we can grow lightning rods to demonic activity beamed
into our homes. We need to give accountability.
Real love gives the best that it can.
When I was in the 3rd grade, my dad pastored a church near Kokomo, Indiana.
I fell in love with this high school girl that always saved me a seat on the bus, she would
put her arm around me and my heart would beat so fast. I liked this feeling. So in my little
boy heart I decided I must show her my love. I asked my Mom,
"How do you show when you love someone?"
Mom said, often love was shown by giving a ring. I worked for a neighbor and he gave me a dollar.
I immediately had my dollar made into 20 nickels. I then carried my 20 nickels to the bubble gum
machine in the local store and I asked God for a little help to get a ring? Please??
I saw a pretty ring in there. I dropped in my nickel and out came a bubble gum ball,
I started chewing it. Another nickel another prayer ... I was in love and I needed that ring ...
another bubble gum ball. My mouth was hurting from all the bubble gum balls,
I couldn’t pray out loud, my mouth was so full, but God knew my heart, on my 19th nickel the Lord
heard my prayer and out came the shining new ring.
I couldn’t wait for the bus to come on Monday morning. I was waiting, when the bus doors opened
I jumped on board, ran to "OUR SEAT" and I slid that ring over her finger.
My heart felt so good, I GAVE a symbol to my love.
She wore the ring until her finger was blue.
But I learned it sure did feel good to give to someone I loved.
Well, God SO LOVED us He gave His only Son.
I have sacrificed and given for years. I have given and gone without things I needed to help others.
I love to give. I have given all my clothes away in Haiti three times, just had the clothes on my back,
when I got home. I gave my favorite pocket knife to get a preacher’s car fixed. I have given 14 guitars away.
I have pastored 22+ years, and many years lived below the poverty line, that has been a living sacrifice.
I left teaching school to pastor, that was hard, I love security, and now I have none.
I would gladly give my life for the church I pastor and family and friends. I do this daily.
I give in writing this right now, while I am very sick.
While I love to give... I could never give you my son. NEVER!! I have two sons, and two grandsons.
I love my sons. If the death angel appeared and said I was taking your son, I would gladly trade places,
so they could live. I LOVE but I couldn’t give my son.
Once my younger brother, Tim, was having surgery and needed blood, my dad volunteered to
give and he told the nurse take all you need, even if it cost my life. I want my son to live.
I cannot fathom the everlasting love that God gave His only son.
26 years ago at Middlesboro, KY, I looked into the nursery and saw my first born son, and I cried ....
For the first time in my life I saw the reality of "SO LOVED," the love and depth of love that God
gave me His only Son......Thank you God, your gift shows me something about You. My son was born
in a hospital, and we had the best doctor possible to make sure my son’s delivery went well.
God permitted his Son to be born in a barn with livestock?
GOD SO LOVED ME, HE GAVE... God loves me, little worthless me, so much that He gave the
best heaven had to offer.
Several years ago, in front of our local Walmart, there was a Marine box, where one could drop
presents for "poor kids." This impressed me, so I stood and watched this box while Linda shopped.
A big Lincoln Town Car pulled up ... a little boy and girl jumped out of the expensive car and
dropped a doll baby and a truck into the big box. They were so happy ... I thought ...
This Mom has taught her kids a valuable lesson...in giving.
They drove off laughing, I waited, then I went to the box and picked the toys out to look.
The doll baby was written on with a magic marker and stained, it had most of it’s hair torn out.
The truck had two of its wheels gone and was rusty and mud covered.
I sat down and cried.
Then I pondered giving.
Can I tell you, I prayed God let me be Santa Claus one time?
Here is what I would have done ... I would have wrapped the ugly doll and the rusty truck
and I would have gone down their chimney and put the presents they gave under their tree,
so Christmas morning the little boy and girl would have ran to the tree and opened their own
presents of broken toys and would have had really learned a lesson in giving.
My reason in writing this is to ask you what are you giving Jesus for His birthday?
What are you giving others?
Years ago while opening presents at my Mom and Dad’s, it dawned on me presents for
everybody but Jesus? Maybe you could give a little preacher’s son/daughter a gift??
Maybe some could give a little extra love offering at church?
Did you know locally and nationally in the USA that December is one of the lowest giving months
of the year to the church? I wonder why?
Maybe money is short for you, and you can’t afford to give money?
But there is a gift you could give?
I always involved my sons in our birthday present for Jesus ...
one year we got a case of yellow apples and went to the resthomes.
We took knives and peeled the apples, we ate the peels and cut the apples up for old people to eat.
When I am dead and gone my sons will tell others how we gave apples and love to old people.
One year we practiced hours on playing and singing a song..."Until Then my heart will go on singing"
I see so many go get a name off a tree for some stranger, this no doubt is good,
but I have seen this abused, as undeserving people profited ...
I think we can find a kid we know and give to show them Jesus in a lasting way.
How many old people need a Jesus visit from you?
How many Christian workers will have sacrificed visits at home and will be lonely.
One year at a mission work in eastern Kentucky, at West Prestonsburg, First Assembly of God,
we had nothing for Christmas and Pastor Rodney Dukes of Montgomery Assembly in Cincinnati, Ohio,
sent both my boys a present and us all a set of clothes. I will never forget this church for their kindness
to this pastor’s family.
One year, many years ago, James and Joan Biram our Superintendent of Kentucky sent us $100,
which was one weeks salary ... I will never forget these acts of kindness ... I must give something
to someone, but if we don’t plan ... we will forget whose birthday it really is. ...
REAL LOVE REALLY GIVES ... God’s people love to give ...
2 Cor. 9:7 EVERY MAN/WOMAN ACCORDING AS HE/SHE PURPOSETH IN HIS/HER HEART,
SO LET HIM GIVE: NOT GRUDGINGLY, OR OF NECESSITY: FOR GOD LOVETH THE CHEERFUL
GIVER.
You have something to give that would make somebody feel special,
but giving not only makes them feel special, it will make you feel special, and it will show
others how special the gift of love really is.
Are we teaching our kids and grandkids that LOVE GIVES???
Can you tolerate one more story?
There was a great king that had really been blessed bountifully by the hand of God.
He decided one day that it was necessary for him to show his love and appreciation to the
citizens which served him. After seeking counsel, he decided that they would declare a holiday
in the whole kingdom and have everyone come to the palace for a great feast. The king would
provide everything. He would provide the vegetables, the meats, the desserts, and all of the
service. He decided the servants would feel good if they could contribute something to this
celebration. So he asked each one to bring one bottle of the best wine and pour it in the huge vat.
So on the appointed day the preparations had been made. All the servants were honored for their
service to the king. Each servant brought their bottle of wine and poured it into the huge vat.
After grace was said over God’s Blessings, the king took his gold goblet to the vat and opened
the tap and into his goblet ran nothing but water. See, all the servants thought their little bottle
of wine would not matter. And when each one stands in his own place and feels his little gift
doesn’t matter, not only will the king be disappointed but the individuals that gave less than their
best will also be disappointed.
God SO LOVED THAT HE GAVE. My love mandates I must give! Real love really gives.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
