Giving and Receiving By Judy Knebel After opening with a prayer for the Holy Spirit's revelation of God's Word, begin with this simple exercise: Find a partner and—while making eye contact—smile at each other. How did the smile make you feel, both as giver and recipient? God's Model of Giving Giving both natural and supernatural gifts, God is our model, the perfect Giver. List as many gifts God gives as you can. Did you include these? Psalm 104 Luke 22:19 John 10:28 2 Corinthians 5:5 James 1:25, 4:6 What does Romans 8:32 tell you about God's giving? There are several Greek words translated to "give." One word, epichoregeo, captures the heart of giving as God gives: to supply fully, abundantly, lavishly, and refers to the work of the Holy Spirit to individuals and His church. Epichoregeo is the word used in Galatians 3:5. What does it say to you about God's giving? Upon what is His giving based? Why is following God's example especially difficult when you deem a person undeserving? What does Romans 5:8 say that can help you overcome that difficulty? Following God's Example What is basic to your giving? 2 Corinthians 9:7,8 2 Peter 1:3,4 Discuss the principles of giving found in Matthew 10:8b, 5:43-47; and Luke 6:38. What can you give to God? Psalm 63:4 Psalm 119:57 Romans 12:1 2 Corinthians 9:11-13 What can you give to people? Romans 13:8 Philippians 2:4 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Time is one thing God gives us that we jealously guard. How can time to God and to others be an invaluable gift? Receiving Take turns smiling at your partner again, but this time the smile should be returned with either a frown or a blank look. How does it make you feel, both as recipient and giver? Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35), but He did not say we should not receive. A giver must have someone to receive her gift. Many times it is very difficult, especially for Christians, to be on the receiving end. Why do you think that is so? What attitude and behavior is necessary to both give and receive according to James 4:6? Why? God's Big Picture We often think of receiving and giving gifts as an individual act, but God has a bigger picture. Giving and receiving is not just about you! And yet it is! Explain by using 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10; Matthew 5:13-16. Receiving and giving are for distribution of God's grace to others in Jesus' name. Using Hebrews 12:10,11 and Proverbs 27:17, what do we discover about some giving? Why is what God and we sometimes must "give" not always pleasant but necessary? How does this giving attest to the principle of God's big picture for believers? (Ephesians 4:14-16) Giving and receiving are models of God's grace, and grace is needed to exercise both. Why? Did you realize you have been given? John 17:20-24 reveals this to us. What was the reason? Gifts that let us give away God's grace are based on God's grace; they are not earned. Why should giving God's grace be a priority? (Acts 20:24) Is it for you? Discuss ways you can give God's grace. God will supply, but we must apply. "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8b) What will you do this week to receive and give God's grace? Closing Each look at your partner and with a smile say in unison, "To each one of us, grace has been given" (Ephesians 4:7) Judy Knebel, past LWML Vice President of Gospel Outreach, has been writing Bible studies for a number of years. She lives in Seattle, Washington, and is involved in outreach in her multicultural community.