Giving, of oneself

The submission of the self to the will of God, in thanksgiving and service.

Jesus Christ's self-giving as an example to believers

1 John 3:16 See also Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; Mark 10:45; John 15:13; Romans 15:3; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:1–2, Ephesians 5:25; Philippians 2:5–8; Titus 2:14

By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Why self-giving is reasonable service to God

God's people belong to him by creation

Deuteronomy 32:6 See also Psalm 100:3; Revelation 4:11

Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you?

God's people belong to him by redemption

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 See also Revelation 5:9

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

All good things are given by God

1 Chronicles 29:14 See also Deuteronomy 8:18; Acts 17:25; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:17

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.

God's people giving themselves

To God

Romans 12:1 See also 2 Corinthians 8:5

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

To one another

2 Corinthians 8:5 See also 1 Corinthians 16:15

And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.

To holy living

Romans 6:19 See also Proverbs 23:26; Romans 12:1

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

To the service of God

1 Corinthians 15:58 See also Judges 5:2; 1 Chronicles 29:5; 2 Chronicles 17:16; Psalm 40:7–8; Isaiah 6:8; Acts 6:4; Romans 1:9; 1 Timothy 4:15

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

To a life of self-denial

Luke 14:33 See also Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; Luke 14:26; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 8:13, 1 Corinthians 10:33; 2 Corinthians 12:15; Philippians 3:8

In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.

To martyrdom

Daniel 3:28 See also Acts 20:24, Acts 21:13; Revelation 12:11

Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Rewards of self-giving

Matthew 10:39 See also Matthew 19:27–29 parallels Mark 10:28–30, Luke 18:28–30; Mark 8:35 parallel Luke 17:33

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

The giving of thanks

Psalm 50:23 See also 1 Chronicles 16:8; Ephesians 5:4; Philippians 4:4–7; Colossians 2:7, Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 12:28

He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rightly orders his way, I will show the salvation of God.”