Dozens of people with various needs come through my life each
week. Yesterday it was a woman who needed $301 to keep from being evicted. Last
week it was a man whose heart was shattered by his son’s untimely death. I want
to help! Sometimes I slip into a daydream about having so much money I could
just write a check to help out. I am rich! A story in the book of Acts reminds
me that my resources are not just measured with a bank account balance.
Peter and John were going into the Temple to pray at 3 in the
afternoon when a beggar called out to them for money. The man had been in that
spot near the gate for years, crippled and dependent on the kindness of those
who passed by. "Help me, show some kindness!" he yelled, holding out
his hand pathetically. Peter stopped; looked right at him and said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such
as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and
walk." (Acts 3:6, KJV) The crippled man "stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God." (Acts 3:8, KJV)
Spirit-filled Christians are given amazing grace, infinite
love, abundant mercy, astonishing kindness... need I go on? People need to be
gifted with those things, more than money! Do you have a generous spirit?
Giving is not a first impulse for most people. Naturally we tend to think about
caring for ourselves; making certain that we have secured our place, our
future, provision for our perceived needs. But, where the Spirit is in charge,
He secures us and teaches us to give ourselves away; just like Jesus did.
How generous are you?
- When you tip a server, do you carefully calculate 15% or throw in an extra couple of dollars?
- When you tithe (10% for God's work) do you divide it down to the penny, or do you round it up with joy?
- When you're in line do you carefully guard your position or let the guy with a couple of items cut in front of you? Are you impatient with drivers who go too slowly in your lane, or cheerfully share the road?
When we possess the riches of God, not just in word but in
our hearts, we are freed from the need to grasp tightly what we perceive
belongs to us. We will gain a liberal heart, a generous spirit that overflows.
We will take notice of the hurts, the sorrows, the pain of those around us and
give them from the store of love that we have received from the Lord. We will
readily absorb the insensitivities and insecurities that cause others to slight
us without the least care because we are so rich in the Father's love!
The Word observes the principle of reciprocity -
"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) Jesus states it simply - "Give
away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given
back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity
begets generosity.”" (Luke 6:38, The Message)
Before you rush on to take on life, take a few moments to thank
God for the riches you have been given in Christ Jesus. Meditate on this
statement: "God is able to make all
grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you
need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV) Yes, we are rich in Him. So, let’s and give it away! Let’s have find
joy today by blessing people with love, kindness, mercy, goodness - from the
rich storehouse to which God has given us the key!
__________________
Who Am I
When I think of how He came
So far from glory,
Came and dwelt among the lowly
Such as I,
To suffer shame and such disgrace,
On Mount Calv'ry take my place.
Then I ask myself a question,
Who am I?
Who am I that a King,
Would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray,
“Not my will Thine” for?
The answer I may never know,
Why He ever loved me so,
That to an old rugged cross He'd go,
For who am I?
Rusty Goodman
© 1965 Playin' TAG Music. Renewed 1993. (Admin. by Integrated
Copyright Group, Inc.)
CCLI License # 810055
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