In the land of the Bible, there are two inland bodies of water, connected by the Jordan River, just 30 miles apart. The Sea of Galilee is a sparkling gem, full of life. The Dead Sea is a mineral laden lake surrounded by barren desert and crusty salts. Why? The Sea of Galilee receives fresh water from the mountains and overflows into the river, constantly replenished. The Dead Sea has no outlet. The inflow only escapes by evaporation leaving the minerals behind, accumulating to such an extent that all life was choked from the water long ago.
Are you big-hearted and generous OR does the heart of the Grinch (“2 sizes too small”) beat in your chest? Another way to ask this question: do you measure your happiness by what flows into your life or what flows out of it? If you’re only receiving, but not giving, you will develop toxic levels of selfishness that will choke all life from you.
Our Father promises to care for our needs `according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.' (Phil. 4.19) A pinched, mean spirit is totally at odds with a genuine experience of renewal in the Spirit of God. Why, then, are so many of us, people who are given ALL things by our Father, so selfish, so protective of our stuff, our time, our privacy? We are blessed to be a blessing! I love the wisdom of the Proverbs! Take a look: "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT That principle is far greater than money. It is about a way of life that invests in the joys and sorrows of the people around us, that overflows with gentle forgiveness, and that liberally recognizes the individual contribution that others make to the well-being of the whole!
Paul, as he was leaving for Jerusalem where he would face arrest and long imprisonment, reminded the Ephesian Believers: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20:35 NLT) Early in his life, he was a man focused on self-improvement, on protecting his own traditions, on gaining power. Then, he met the Lord and was knocked off his high horse. Grace flowed into his life and Paul opened the spigot to let it flow back out! He gave up everything – comfort, treasure, time, reputation – to take the good news of God’s acceptance to the wide world.
Our Father promises to care for our needs `according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.' (Phil. 4.19) A pinched, mean spirit is totally at odds with a genuine experience of renewal in the Spirit of God. Why, then, are so many of us, people who are given ALL things by our Father, so selfish, so protective of our stuff, our time, our privacy? We are blessed to be a blessing! I love the wisdom of the Proverbs! Take a look: "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT That principle is far greater than money. It is about a way of life that invests in the joys and sorrows of the people around us, that overflows with gentle forgiveness, and that liberally recognizes the individual contribution that others make to the well-being of the whole!
Paul, as he was leaving for Jerusalem where he would face arrest and long imprisonment, reminded the Ephesian Believers: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20:35 NLT) Early in his life, he was a man focused on self-improvement, on protecting his own traditions, on gaining power. Then, he met the Lord and was knocked off his high horse. Grace flowed into his life and Paul opened the spigot to let it flow back out! He gave up everything – comfort, treasure, time, reputation – to take the good news of God’s acceptance to the wide world.
He lived what he taught about generosity. "Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out." (2 Corinthians 9:6-9, The Message)
Let me encourage you to practice magnanimity today! Give yourself away. Do it in the smallest of ways… letting someone go before you in the checkout line, slowing down for the driver who wants to get into your lane of traffic. Do it in a bigger way… when someone you know falls down, reach out to help them up. When a `juicy tale' falls into your hands, bury it and never repeat it no matter how much fun it might be to share! Write a check to someone in need or better, put some cash in an envelope and give it to them without disclosing the source. Do it in the biggest way… pray for God's blessings to rest on your worst enemy. Pray for them to experience the LOVE of the Father! (and mean it!)
Here’s a word from the Word. It’s familiar, so take care that familiarity does not breed contempt. Read it slowly and prayerfully, asking that the Spirit will bring the full truth to fruitfulness in your life today. "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:24-25, NLT)
Blow up the dam that Self insists is necessary. Let your life overflow and God will ‘pour on the blessings in astonishing ways.’
(CWTW will not be sent again until next week.)
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