Matthew 10:8(KJV)
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
The anchor Scripture is a critical biblical principle for a blessed life. God has freely given to us – so we should freely give to others. Whether material or spiritual wealth, God desires to give to the world through us, the stewards of His grace, goodness, and good gifts, starting with the Gospel. God blessing us with spiritual gifts comes with great responsibility and the need for accountability. Serious consequences are also attached to their misuse. Due to this, the children of God are to be very careful not to take undue advantage of the gifts of the Holy Spirit deposited in them by God. For it is a fearful thing to turn the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us into objects of merchandise traded for money, favors, or gifts. 2 Peter 2:3 says, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” The mentality of merchandising the gift of God must be discouraged in the Church of God.
The list of God’s gifts is inexhaustible. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” In other words, every good thing we possess is a special delivery from God. He gave us the gifts and talents to use to further His Kingdom. We are to use it for God’s Glory and not for our desires. Daniel 5:17 says, “Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.” Even though Daniel was offered great riches, he declined because he knew that the prophetic gift was not for sale. When we freely give it back for others’ benefit, we glorify His Name. As children of God, our motive should first be to share freely with others the gifts of God; it should not be a matter of what we can get out of the gifts God has freely given to us. NO charge. God’s grace has always been FREE. God has freely given to us, so should we freely give in the spirit of love. The Father gave His Son freely to us; the Son also gave His life freely for us. God’s gift to us is to benefit His Kingdom, not for us to make demands on His children. So as believers, we do not worship unless we freely give our substance, time, strength, talent, faith, and testimonies. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says, “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
Beloved, freely minister to the people of God without any payment. Never be in a hurry to enrich yourself with the gifts deposited into your life by the Holy Spirit. Be the one who no longer takes but gives to the needs of others. Learn from what happened to Gehazi, the servant of Elisha; for out of greed, he lost the Anointing that he should have received from Elisha(2 Kings 5). The good Lord will bless you in His own way and in His own time as you surrender yourself for His use. Freely give and set the blessing in motion in your life today! All Glory belongs to God, so make it a habit to return all to Him, and He will keep promoting you. You can do nothing by yourself until God gives you the ability. Remember, Jesus is the only miracle worker, and all Christians are vessels through whom all miracles are performed. Therefore, taking advantage of His Works through His Spirit in you is fraudulent and diabolic.
O Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help me freely give the spiritual gifts in me to impart others for Your Glory in Jesus’ Name.