What is the Fourth T of Giving? Time, Talent, Treasure & ?

[Be sure to watch the video following the article.]

It has often been preached, and many articles have been written, about the duty and blessing of giving of our time, talent, and treasure in service to the Lord.  However, there’s another “t” that is never mentioned…

Testimony

We honor God and bless our neighbors when we speak of Jesus and His saving grace.

1 Pet 3:15  Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Using our words to tell about Jesus is a testimony.  We are commanded to preach the gospel in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21-23).  But we can’t do so unless we use words. (Read: Why is “Preach the Gospel and When Necessary Use Words” WRONG?)

How we preach and teach and how we live is also important. Our manner of speaking and our ways of living should uphold and add credibility to our testimonies.

• Peter tells us to speak with meekness and fear. 
• James reminds us that the “wisdom from above” is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
• Paul says we are to speak boldly (Eph 6:20), telling the world of Jesus’ goodness and kindness, of His forgiveness, and of His gift of everlasting life (Read: Be BOLD or Be Gentle When Witnessing?). 

Strengthen Your Testimony

Let your lifestyle and works speak of the grace you have received and the joy in which you live. Live according to biblical principles and precepts, and you will glorify the Father, reflect Jesus, and be open to the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, you can be a walking, talking, living, breathing testimony of God’s goodness and grace and the transforming power of Christ.   

Speak Of Jesus

1. Speak Truthfully

We must faithfully share the truths found in the Bible. God’s words are absolute, eternal truths, without error, and powerful to move the hearts and minds of the lost. Always say, “the Bible says…” not “I think…” 

2. Speak Proudly

Boast of who Jesus is and what He Has done.

Gal 6:14  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

3. Speak Boldly

You have the truth; do not fear to speak about it. You might get resistance or opposition, even persecution, but remember that suffering, for Jesus’ sake, honors God and blesses you.

Phil 1:29  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

1 Pet 3:14  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Paul spoke of a time when he suffered — a time when he was so “burdened beyond measure, above strength, that [he] despaired even of life.” (2 Cor 1:8)  Paul overcame the despair by remembering His Lord, and he boldly wrote to the Corinthians that his “sentence of death” was to increase trust in God (2 Cor 1:9).

4. Speak Gently and Lovingly

Paul instructed that we be ready always to give an answer for our hope.  That means to tell of Jesus!  But he also said that we should do so with meekness and fear — that is, kindness and gentleness. Use words that give hope and speak them in love (Eph 4:15)

1 Pet 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

5. Speak Confidently

We have been delivered from the penalty of sin. We are being delivered from the power of sin. And one day, we will be delivered from the presence of sin.  Past, present, and future—our time is in His hands (Psa 31:15).

When you testify of Jesus, have confidence that the Holy Spirit will help you.  His job is to teach and guide us (John 14:26), and He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

6. Speak Fruitfully

When we proudly, boldly, gently, lovingly, and confidently testify of Jesus, in truth, we will be effective witnesses for Him, and our efforts will be fruitful.  

James tells us that wisdom from above is full of good fruits (James 3:17), and Paul tells us that in all things, we are to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25) and produce the fruit of the Spirit —love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22-24). So, when we remember the fruit of the Spirit we have been given, we can live in such a way that our words and actions testify to His presence in our lives.

Live In…

• love so others will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35)
• joy because our hope is in Jesus. (1 Thess 2:19)
• peace because by Jesus, we have been reconciled to God. (Rom 5:1)
• patience, knowing that Jesus is in control and everything is according to His time. (Rom 15:4, 2 Th 3:5)
• kindness because of the mercy and grace we have been given. (Eph 2:7)
• goodness because Jesus showed us how to do good and love others. (Rom 15:14)
• faithfulness to God because God is faithful to us.  (1 Cor 1:9, 10:13, 2 Thess 3:3)
• gentleness, knowing that a soft word of hope is better received than a harsh admonition. (1 Pet 3:15, Rom 15:4, Phil 4:5) 
• self-control, knowing that the world would like to silence us and destroy our testimonies, but…  
  • We are overcomers in Christ. (Rom 12:21)
  • We are capable of controlling our responses to oppression. (Col 3:12)
  • We can stand strong (1 Cor 16:13) and testify boldly (Eph 6:20).

Acts 4:33  And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

2 Cor 1:12  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

<*}}}><

Testify to His Love

Live your life by giving your time, talents, treasures, and testimony in service to the Lord.  Let your thoughts, words, and actions be a powerful testimony for Jesus. Tell about who He is, what He has done for you, and how His love and grace fill and fuel your life.  Tell everyone about the amazing saving and sanctifying grace of Jesus, available to all people.