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The GIVE Initiative


Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
            As believers we have the opportunity to partner with the Lord in the harvest. In John 4:35 Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave the great commission.  We are called to go into all the world and make disciples of the nations.  Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
            What is the GIVE Initiative? The English Oxford Living Dictionary defines initiative as, “An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something.”  The GIVE Initiative involves the following four things:
            G represents GO. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We are called to be Holy Spirit empowered witnesses. How do we fulfill the Great Commission?  We begin in our own community. 
I represents an INVESTMENT. Giving to God is not an expense.  It is an investment in the Kingdom of God.  We cannot out give God.  An investor expects a dividend or to earn interest on an investment.  Matthew 6:20 says, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”  Every gift I give in the name of the Lord is an investment and it will yield an increase.  Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
V represents VOLUNTEER.  We are all called to ministry.  We are called to partner with the Lord in reaping the harvest.  In John 4:35 Jesus reveals, “the fields are already white for harvest.”  We need each other. We have been saved to serve. Where do we start?  We discover our gifting and use it for the work of the Lord. 
E represents ENCOURAGE.  When we rise to the challenge to witness and share our faith, invest in the Kingdom of God, and find our place of service we will encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

            Luke 6:38 in the Amplified Bible reads, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.” We are called to Go to those who are lost, to invest in the Kingdom of God, to volunteer, and to encourage others. 

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