Mary… How to Handle Gifts Living Generously Mary… How to Handle Gifts

Living Generously Mary… How to Handle Gifts 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! NKJV

FROM THE WOODEN DESK Giving and expecting something in return is really an enticement. I remember one time having this conversation with one of my grandchildren, “I gave a gift, but they didn’t give me anything!” Remember, giving a gift should be a heart thing. You give because you want to give. In that, you’re not giving because you are expecting to get something in return. Your heart knows your intention. Be sure your giving is grounded in a pure spirit, not a hidden agenda.

FROM THE WOODEN DESK Giving because you feel you have to steals the joy out of giving. Ok, have you ever given a gift to someone because you felt you had to? You were not giving from the joy of giving; you were giving from the feeling of obligation. That’s not giving! The act is not pure. You’re better off to not give anything than to give that way. No one will feel good about the situation.

God Trusted Mary to Trust Him with the Promised Gift Luke 1:26-30 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (NKJV)

The Promise of the Gift – Mary had Faith and Obedience Luke 1:31-38 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?“ (NKJV)

The Promise of the Gift – Mary had Faith and Obedience Luke 1:31-38 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (NKJV)

When You Receive Gifts – Make Sure Like Mary, You Share it With Others Who Will Celebrate Your Gift Luke 2:39-42 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! (NKJV)

Mary Had Personal Gratitude and Praise for the Gift Luke 2:46-49; 55 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.“ (NKJV)

We Will Be Challenged With Our Gifts – Mary faced Challenges Matthew 1:18-19 After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (NKJV)

We Will Be Challenged With Our Gifts – Mary faced Challenges Luke 2:1; 3-5 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (NKJV)

There is an Enemy Who Wants you to Abort Your Gift – God Protected Mary and Her Gift because it belonged to Him. Luke 2:6-7 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)

Many Were Blessed Because of Mary’s Gift Simeon Sees God's Salvation Luke 2:25-35 Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer Luke 2:36-38 The Whole World John 3:16

Laying Your Gift on the Altar - Mary’s Most Difficult Test John 19:25-27 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother... 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (NIV)

Mary’s Gift Came Back to Her -Transformed Her & Multiplied Exponentially Mark 16:6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen.” Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (NKJV)

Mary’s Gift Came Back to Her -Transformed Her & Multiplied Exponentially Luke 6:38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (NLT)

Living Generously Mary… How to Handle Gifts Apply & Mobilize Begin to examine how you handle your gifts! Do they belong to God and are you grateful for them? Today make a choice to handle every gift you have properly so you can live in the total prosperity of God.