The Rev. Dr. Hugh H. Morgan “The Joy of Giving” by the Rev. Dr. Hugh H. Morgan
Scripture texts:
Numbers 6:22-27
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 "The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'
27 "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
NKJV
Acts 20:35
And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
NKJV
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
NIV
About twenty years ago as I was reading the Aaronic Benediction recorded in Numbers 6, I read verse 27, and saw something I had never seen before. I sensed that this was the key to this benediction. God told Moses that this is the way Aaron and his sons shall bless the children of Israel, and He concludes by saying “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
I am convinced that God has called us to bless people. It is in the context of such a benediction that God speaks to His people very deeply. God blesses His people when we speak His Word. It is only as we give voice to His Word that God can bless His people.
So, I began to memorize the benedictions of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. At the conclusion of worship services when I was a pastor or a chaplain, I would raise my hands high and ask the question, “Will you receive the Benediction?” I would pause for a few moments and then pronounce the benediction. I can tell you that marvelous things have happened in people’s lives as a result of pronouncing benedictions.
I do the news of my denomination via e-mail and the Internet with a website, called Hugh’s News. I always close with a benediction and my readers look forward to that word to touch their lives.
Robert Schuller tells the story about how God used his uncle who was a Methodist preacher to prophecy over him. He was only about 7 or 8 years old at the time. His uncle often visited them at their farm. Robert would run to the gate to greet his uncle when he came down the long dirt road to their country home. One day when his uncle got out of his car, he walked up to Robert, rubbed his thick black hair and said, “Robert, someday you will be a preacher.” That night, as Robert laid in his bed he thought about that statement and it was that night that he felt God had called him to be a preacher. God called Robert Schuller, but He used Robert’s uncle in the process.
My next door neighbors where I live in Winder, GA, are Southern Baptists. They have three lovely children, a girl who is six, a boy, four, and a boy, two. Megan will one day be a school teacher. When she comes home from school, she enjoys teaching me what she has learned that day. The oldest boy is Nathan and the youngest boy is Samuel. I have been calling Nathan – Nathan the prophet. One day, Samuel was outside playing, and I called him Samuel the Prophet. Nathan immediately reacted by saying, “No, he is not the prophet, I am.” So, I have had to change and I call Samuel the Preacher. Nathan may not understand what a prophet means, but I want him to be aware of God in his life.
You and I have the great opportunity of speaking God’s Word into the lives of young men and women who believe God has called them to be military chaplains. Our investment in them by approving them for the Chaplain Candidate Program and later when we endorse them is an investment that will outlast time itself. We do that best when we pronounce God’s blessings in their lives and affirm them. Your visits to see your chaplains on military installations is important, but it is equally important that you visit with and take out to lunch the other chaplains as well. We must not forget them in our visits.
The second Scripture verse I want to share with you is not recorded in the Gospels. Paul had called for the elders of Ephesus to come down to Miletus to talk with him. He was reminding them of the necessity to support the weak.
The word weak here denotes the poor, the needy, the infirmed. He used a saying of Jesus that is not recorded in the Gospels when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In the context of how the word “blessed” is used, I have discovered that it means more productive or more profitable. God can only multiple what we give. In that process we learn a great deal about ourselves and others. I have been experimenting with this saying for several years, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and I am finding the more I give, the more God gives me to give again.
When you tip a waitress or waiter, how much do you give for the service? Do you tip 10% or 15%. Over the years I have moved to 20% when the service is done well.
As we give of our resources we must never forget the thousands of people who lost their homes and all they had as a result of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. That will be an on-going endeavor.
It is at this Christmas Season that we remember that God’s love is found in humble places. It is in the midst of loss and sorrow, and we can share that love by our giving.
Last of all, I want to quote from the Apostle Paul. He wrote:
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
NIV
God loves a cheerful giver. He is not asking us to give impulsively. We need to consider what God would have us give, and do it from the heart.
When I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, AK, in the late 60s, the Catholic children used to sing a song that was so exciting. They sang, ”God loves a cheerful giver, so giver all you’ve got.” Of course, we want our children to give their hearts to God and live for Him.
When we look at all the incredible things God has given us it seems impossible that we could return the favor. True enough. But we need never worry, God's not looking for repayment. He gives to us freely and with love. I love how Eugene Peterson renders God's generous giving -- ". . . letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God" (Acts 20:24, The Message).
John Templeton, one of the world's greatest philanthropists, was born in rural Winchester, TN, in a humble environment. He once dreamed of a full-time ministry in the church. He went on to graduate from Yale University, and was a Rhodes Scholar at Balliol College, Oxford University. He is regarded as a pioneer in the development of high-yield globally diversified mutual funds, founding the highly successful Templeton Growth Fund and Templeton World Fund. He is a billionaire today. He promotes and encourages character-building as an integral part of a free democratic society. He said,
"The greatest investment he has ever discovered in the world ... is tithing."
I believe giving involves far more than giving of our money. It means giving of our time and talents. It means speaking a word of encouragement and hope to another person.
When I was the senior pastor of Tarkenton Memorial Church in Athens, GA, we had a ministry to International Students. Once every quarter we hosted some 300-400 students with sandwiches, chips, dips, soft drinks. I remember talking with a graduate student from China who was working on a Ph. D. degree in Micro-Biology. She told me that she grew up in Beijing, China, and under Communism. She said we were told there is no God, but there is an emptiness in my heart, and I would like to know God. Then, she asked me, “Does God understand Chinese?” I cried and responded, “You betcha He does. He understands every language and you pray to Him in your own language." You see, I have a deep love for Chinese people – my mother was a missionary to China for nine years before she married my father.
Today, I am keenly aware that we are a very diverse group of ecclesiastical endorsers and Chiefs of Chaplains and staffs. As such we come from many religious perspectives. We live in a pluralistic society where we honor and respect one another. I am a Christian and a Pentecostal. Today, I want you to pray to God according to your own tradition, while I pray according to mine. I will l pray in the Name of Jesus in the first person.
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this season of the year when we honor and respect those who will celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. We are reminded that Your love for all mankind is found in every place and circumstance and that You offer peace to every one. We would remember the men and women in the military, many of whom will spend this Christmas at posts far from home. They stand between Americans and grave danger. They serve in the cause of peace and freedom. They wear the uniform proudly and we are proud of them. We are equally proud of every military chaplain who serves as a visible reminder of your presence, protection, promises, and provisions.
You are the guard and guide
of all who place their trust in You.
So now may they rest
in Your abundant love and be strong.
Give them believing minds and trusting hearts.
Your peace shall be their strength,
and into Your hand of love
may they place their hands,
and face the future unafraid.
It is in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I pray these things. Amen.
Scripture texts:
Numbers 6:22-27
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 "The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'
27 "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
NKJV
Acts 20:35
And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
NKJV
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
NIV
About twenty years ago as I was reading the Aaronic Benediction recorded in Numbers 6, I read verse 27, and saw something I had never seen before. I sensed that this was the key to this benediction. God told Moses that this is the way Aaron and his sons shall bless the children of Israel, and He concludes by saying “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
I am convinced that God has called us to bless people. It is in the context of such a benediction that God speaks to His people very deeply. God blesses His people when we speak His Word. It is only as we give voice to His Word that God can bless His people.
So, I began to memorize the benedictions of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. At the conclusion of worship services when I was a pastor or a chaplain, I would raise my hands high and ask the question, “Will you receive the Benediction?” I would pause for a few moments and then pronounce the benediction. I can tell you that marvelous things have happened in people’s lives as a result of pronouncing benedictions.
I do the news of my denomination via e-mail and the Internet with a website, called Hugh’s News. I always close with a benediction and my readers look forward to that word to touch their lives.
Robert Schuller tells the story about how God used his uncle who was a Methodist preacher to prophecy over him. He was only about 7 or 8 years old at the time. His uncle often visited them at their farm. Robert would run to the gate to greet his uncle when he came down the long dirt road to their country home. One day when his uncle got out of his car, he walked up to Robert, rubbed his thick black hair and said, “Robert, someday you will be a preacher.” That night, as Robert laid in his bed he thought about that statement and it was that night that he felt God had called him to be a preacher. God called Robert Schuller, but He used Robert’s uncle in the process.
My next door neighbors where I live in Winder, GA, are Southern Baptists. They have three lovely children, a girl who is six, a boy, four, and a boy, two. Megan will one day be a school teacher. When she comes home from school, she enjoys teaching me what she has learned that day. The oldest boy is Nathan and the youngest boy is Samuel. I have been calling Nathan – Nathan the prophet. One day, Samuel was outside playing, and I called him Samuel the Prophet. Nathan immediately reacted by saying, “No, he is not the prophet, I am.” So, I have had to change and I call Samuel the Preacher. Nathan may not understand what a prophet means, but I want him to be aware of God in his life.
You and I have the great opportunity of speaking God’s Word into the lives of young men and women who believe God has called them to be military chaplains. Our investment in them by approving them for the Chaplain Candidate Program and later when we endorse them is an investment that will outlast time itself. We do that best when we pronounce God’s blessings in their lives and affirm them. Your visits to see your chaplains on military installations is important, but it is equally important that you visit with and take out to lunch the other chaplains as well. We must not forget them in our visits.
The second Scripture verse I want to share with you is not recorded in the Gospels. Paul had called for the elders of Ephesus to come down to Miletus to talk with him. He was reminding them of the necessity to support the weak.
The word weak here denotes the poor, the needy, the infirmed. He used a saying of Jesus that is not recorded in the Gospels when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In the context of how the word “blessed” is used, I have discovered that it means more productive or more profitable. God can only multiple what we give. In that process we learn a great deal about ourselves and others. I have been experimenting with this saying for several years, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and I am finding the more I give, the more God gives me to give again.
When you tip a waitress or waiter, how much do you give for the service? Do you tip 10% or 15%. Over the years I have moved to 20% when the service is done well.
As we give of our resources we must never forget the thousands of people who lost their homes and all they had as a result of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. That will be an on-going endeavor.
It is at this Christmas Season that we remember that God’s love is found in humble places. It is in the midst of loss and sorrow, and we can share that love by our giving.
Last of all, I want to quote from the Apostle Paul. He wrote:
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
NIV
God loves a cheerful giver. He is not asking us to give impulsively. We need to consider what God would have us give, and do it from the heart.
When I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, AK, in the late 60s, the Catholic children used to sing a song that was so exciting. They sang, ”God loves a cheerful giver, so giver all you’ve got.” Of course, we want our children to give their hearts to God and live for Him.
When we look at all the incredible things God has given us it seems impossible that we could return the favor. True enough. But we need never worry, God's not looking for repayment. He gives to us freely and with love. I love how Eugene Peterson renders God's generous giving -- ". . . letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God" (Acts 20:24, The Message).
John Templeton, one of the world's greatest philanthropists, was born in rural Winchester, TN, in a humble environment. He once dreamed of a full-time ministry in the church. He went on to graduate from Yale University, and was a Rhodes Scholar at Balliol College, Oxford University. He is regarded as a pioneer in the development of high-yield globally diversified mutual funds, founding the highly successful Templeton Growth Fund and Templeton World Fund. He is a billionaire today. He promotes and encourages character-building as an integral part of a free democratic society. He said,
"The greatest investment he has ever discovered in the world ... is tithing."
I believe giving involves far more than giving of our money. It means giving of our time and talents. It means speaking a word of encouragement and hope to another person.
When I was the senior pastor of Tarkenton Memorial Church in Athens, GA, we had a ministry to International Students. Once every quarter we hosted some 300-400 students with sandwiches, chips, dips, soft drinks. I remember talking with a graduate student from China who was working on a Ph. D. degree in Micro-Biology. She told me that she grew up in Beijing, China, and under Communism. She said we were told there is no God, but there is an emptiness in my heart, and I would like to know God. Then, she asked me, “Does God understand Chinese?” I cried and responded, “You betcha He does. He understands every language and you pray to Him in your own language." You see, I have a deep love for Chinese people – my mother was a missionary to China for nine years before she married my father.
Today, I am keenly aware that we are a very diverse group of ecclesiastical endorsers and Chiefs of Chaplains and staffs. As such we come from many religious perspectives. We live in a pluralistic society where we honor and respect one another. I am a Christian and a Pentecostal. Today, I want you to pray to God according to your own tradition, while I pray according to mine. I will l pray in the Name of Jesus in the first person.
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this season of the year when we honor and respect those who will celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. We are reminded that Your love for all mankind is found in every place and circumstance and that You offer peace to every one. We would remember the men and women in the military, many of whom will spend this Christmas at posts far from home. They stand between Americans and grave danger. They serve in the cause of peace and freedom. They wear the uniform proudly and we are proud of them. We are equally proud of every military chaplain who serves as a visible reminder of your presence, protection, promises, and provisions.
You are the guard and guide
of all who place their trust in You.
So now may they rest
in Your abundant love and be strong.
Give them believing minds and trusting hearts.
Your peace shall be their strength,
and into Your hand of love
may they place their hands,
and face the future unafraid.
It is in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I pray these things. Amen.