Doing Things God’s Way: The Principle of Love Gifts
At AHAVA Kingdom Ministries International, we believe that giving is not just a duty but a profound expression of love and gratitude to God. Love gifts go beyond the concept of tithing—they are voluntary offerings that stem from a heart overflowing with thankfulness. These gifts are a reflection of God’s generosity toward us and our desire to sow into His kingdom with love.
The Biblical Foundation of Love Gifts
While tithing is about obedience to God’s command, love gifts are about the freedom to give as the Spirit leads, beyond the tenth. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul speaks directly to the heart of love gifts, saying:
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Love gifts are motivated by our personal relationship with God. They express a deep desire to support the work of the Lord and bless others, giving cheerfully and willingly.
Love Gifts as a Reflection of God’s Generosity
God Himself is the ultimate example of generosity. John 3:16 reminds us:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God’s love for us prompted Him to give His greatest gift—Jesus. When we give love gifts, we are mirroring God’s own generous nature, pouring out love to others as He has poured out to us.
The Blessing in Giving Freely
God rewards those who give out of love. In Luke 6:38, Jesus teaches:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
This principle shows that when we give freely from our hearts, we receive in abundance. Our love gifts not only meet the needs of others but also bring back blessings into our own lives in ways we cannot measure.
Love Gifts: A Sacrifice of Praise
Love gifts can also be seen as a form of worship and sacrifice. In Philippians 4:18, Paul thanks the Philippians for their generous support, saying:
“I have received full payment, and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”
Our love gifts are an offering of praise to God, an acknowledgment that everything we have is His. Just as the Philippians’ generosity was described as a “fragrant offering,” so too are our love gifts a pleasing aroma to the Lord when given with the right heart.
Giving with Purpose
Love gifts are not about the size of the gift but the sincerity of the heart. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observed a poor widow giving two small coins and said:
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Her gift, though small, was full of faith and love. In the same way, love gifts are measured by the heart’s intention, not by the amount.
Conclusion
At AHAVA Kingdom Ministries International, we encourage believers to give love gifts as a way of participating in God’s kingdom with a joyful heart. These offerings are a powerful expression of our love for God and His work on earth. As we give freely and generously, we participate in the cycle of blessings that God has ordained, knowing that every seed sown in love will bear fruit in due time.
Remember, giving is an act of love, not a requirement or obligation. As you give love gifts, let your heart overflow with gratitude for all that God has done, and trust that He will continue to bless you abundantly in return.