Sometimes I enjoy dreaming about what I might do for others if large sums of money were available to me. It happens more often when the lottery balance climbs into the stratosphere. (smile!) The daydream finds me buying a working guy a reliable car, paying off a young person’s school loans, giving ‘seed money’ to another to help to start a new business, or providing funds to some struggling ministry. Those moments can be fun, but they are just fantasy. A much more responsible line of thought is about using what I have now. My reading in the Scripture brought me to this phrase - "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee." (Acts 3:6, KJV) It is a direct challenge to me- "Jerry, what are you doing with what I have given you?"
The context of that verse is from a great
story from the Church’s earliest days. Peter and John were going into the
Temple to pray at 3 in the afternoon when a beggar called out to them. The man
had been in that spot near the Temple’s door for years. He was 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)
Most of us will never have fantastic wealth that allows us to do great charitable projects but … we can be; yes, we must be, faithful with what God has given to us. I am stating the obvious, but let me remind you that there are many ways to enrich others beyond money. We have been given amazing grace, lavish love, abundant mercy, astonishing kindness... need I go on?
Who
will pass by you today in need of encouragement?
Who needs to be loved and valued?
Who needs to hear a word of gentle forgiveness from you?
Who
would be helped by your willingness to listen carefully
as you share the weight that presses down on them today?
Ignorance of our true wealth is inevitable when
we focus on what we think we lack! Do you
believe this Word? "I always thank God for you because of his grace
given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way
—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about
Christ was confirmed in you." (1 Corinthians 1:4-6, NIV) In
Christ we are restored to our place in the Father’s family, given life and
hope, purpose, and the promise of Heaven. God says He will equip us to fulfill
His plan!
A generous spirit is the result of the transformating work of the Spirit in us. Naturally we tend to think about caring for ourselves; making certain that we have secured our place, our future, provision for our perceived needs. When we live ‘in the Spirit’ we turn our gaze outward, seeing the need around us and meeting that need with “such as I have.” When we possess the riches of God, not just in word but in our hearts, we are released from the natural way of ‘feeding ourselves first,’ holding tight to our stuff, our reputation, our privacy, etc. God’s riches of grace and love create a liberal heart in us, a generous spirit that takes notice of the hurts, the sorrows, the pain of those around us. We stop to look and listen and then to give them from the resources that the Spirit has given to us.
The word from 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) "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)
Step out of the fantasy of great wealth to see what God has given to you, then choose to be a blessing to others - giving love, kindness, mercy, goodness - from the rich of His grace.
__________________
Lavish love abundant beauty
Gracious gifts for heart and hand
Life that fills the soul and senses
All burst forth at Your command.
Lord, our Lord, Eternal Father
Great Creator, God and Friend
Boundless power gave full expression
To Your love which knows no end.
Who am I that You should love me
Meet my every need from birth?
Why invest Yourself so fully
In a creature made of earth?
In Your loving heart You planned me
Fashioned me with greatest care;
Through my soul You breathed Your Spirit
Planted Your own image there.
I am Yours, Eternal Father
All my body, mind and heart.
Take and use me to Your glory
Form Yourself in every part.
Lord, Your love brings joy and gladness
Flowing forth within my soul.
May my very breath and being
Rise to You, their source and goal.
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