We give because God first gave.

When was the last time you felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to go over and pray for someone or to bless a brother or sister-in-christ by helping him/her financially or through other means, but chose to ignore it?

Proverbs 3:27-28 struck me, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow'— when you now have it with you."

I remember a few instances where I did exactly that - ask the person to come back later, half hoping that he will forget, half thinking, perhaps I will have a need for this later, so better wait. However, vs 27 says very clearly to not withhold good from those who deserve it! And it says this in the same passage as things like, "Do not plot harm against your neighbour," or "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways. " God considers all these of the same importance!

We have all heard this before, that sin is not only doing the wrong thing, but also NOT doing the right thing! The principle is not difficult to understand. God Himself is the giver of ALL good things! We are but stewards of all that He has blessed us with and we are to be GOOD STEWARDS. If all we have is His, then we need to be attentive and obedient how He wants us to use it. Do you feel proud of the fact that you collected much ang pow money during Chinese New Year or that your salary is of an above average amount? Remember that there is nothing there that we can boast of, only of His goodness in our lives. Ask the Lord today, how He wants you to invest the things He has blessed you with.