Giving goals are good to have. Giving goals is a plot and a plan to share your goods, gifts, time and talents with others. In this season of Thanksgiving, in addition to taking some time out to give thanks for everything God has blessed you with, try to think of innovative and impactful ways to be a blessing by giving to others. Giving to others includes giving gratitude to God, sharing your gifts and talents with others, and giving some of your goods to those in need. God promises that when you do give, you will be blessed with it back in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38). When you have a giving goal, you are making a plan to give to others a bit of your blessing. Your gifts and talents are no good unless you put them to good use by sharing them with others.

The Prophet Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath is the perfect example of what happens when you have a goal to give (1 Kings 17:7-16). A goal to give leaves you blessed in return for your giving and usually with more than you expected. The widow, albeit down and almost out, decided to listen to Elijah and make him a small loaf of bread to eat first before feeding herself and her son. She took Elijah at his word and followed his instructions. She gave the little she had but received a whole lot back in return. Even in her state of not knowing the outcome, it was her goal to give Elijah something to eat. Because she was willing to feed him first, she and her son was able to feast on the flour and oil until the rain came (1 Kings 17:14-16). Her goal to give to the prophet resulted in the widow receiving a bountiful blessing. Her lack turned into an overload of provision. A goal to give, even if it is your last, can result in you being blessed for a lifetime.

God gave you the ultimate example of giving goals by giving His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to be your Savior (John 3:16). God demonstrated His giving goals by sending you His Son to save you from sin. You can give Him your gratitude by giving Him the glory by giving your time, using your talents, and giving your tithe. Make the most of this season of Thanksgiving by going out of your way to give and to be a blessing to others. Your giving goals could be as simple as giving thanks to God (Psalm 136:1), giving more of your time by helping a neighbor, or you can share some of a gift or blessing you received. Something as simple as making an extra effort to give someone a smile can lift someone’s spirit. Even something as small as sharing the Gospel with someone. This type of giving leads to great rewards. You can add many of these things and more to your giving goals list. Begin to gather your giving goals list and get going!