Godly Friends

Sunday morning's sermon was on being a Godly friend. When I think about being a friend , I think about what I have to give. Here is what my Bible says about giving...

Deuteronomy 15:10Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 16:17Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.


Proverbs 11:24-25There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 21:26…the righteous gives and does not hold back.

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Matthew 6:3-4But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Luke 3:11And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

Luke 6:38Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

Acts 20:35In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

James 2:15-16If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?


     There are times when I think I am doing an excellent job of giving and then there are times when I allow the world to get in the way and I am not paying attention. There are times when I have to give and times when I don't have to give. There are times when I am satisfied with what I have given and times when I desperately wish I could give more. Giving isn't always material, although more often than not my offerings are. Sometimes giving can just simply be giving of my time. Sometimes its just an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. Other times it is a hug or a kind word and a smile. Whatever the need is, if I call you friend and I have something you need I will give it.
      Recently I made a meal for a friend that needed the rest more than she needed to cook. This was the second meal that I have made for her in the last 6 months or so. Two meals and a couple of FB messages here and there...thats all , nothing more. She made the comment that I had done more for her than some friends she has had for years. My immediate thought was , "how sad".Perhaps she didn't ask for help but part of a friends job is to pay attention and be involved enough to recognize the struggle and come to their aid. It made me sit back and take a count of those I count on and to take the time to thank God for each and every one. I am so fortunate to have an abundance of people to draw from if I am the one on need.
     Oh God, please help me to be a good friend. Help me to always anticipate the needs of others and allow me to give generously from what I have to give. Use me in whatever capacity you see fit and please only allow me to do what would be pleasing to you.