08/21/2019
Are we merciful to others? Do we give of ourselves, and our bounty, when it would be easier to take? Sometimes we hold back out of laziness, sometimes stinginess, and others out of selfishness; we can find many reasons not to give, but when we do it rewards us immensely. We are increased spiritually, physically, and in such things as joy, happiness, and peace of mind. By giving we provide a blessing to others, but God works a great miracle within us.
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”
Proverbs 11:24 ESV
You might initially give of yourself, or something you own, because you have read scripture and want to receive the blessing promised there, or maybe out of greed as you simply desire gain and reward. However you give is good, you might begin with selfish motives, and with the thought that you will receive increases, but once you begin giving, a door is opened within you, and something amazing happens within your faith, and person, that goes beyond our ability to explain.
I have told this story before, but in the later years of my In-law’s lives I began doing things around their house to help them out; I cleaned out gutters, mowed the yard, picked up the fallen leaves in the fall, kept their driveway free of acorns, and many other tasks. I started doing this because I saw a need, and their helplessness, but within short order it became less and less about the need, and more and more about my love for them. The gift I originally gave them had planted a seed within me that grew amazingly, and produced much fruit... too much to recount. My spiritual life became rich and full beyond belief, and the truth in the scripture above suddenly exploded into reality within me.
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Proverbs 11:25 ESV
Financial giving... Anyone who has been a Christian for a period of time has either experienced this for themselves, or heard of someone who gave money to either the church, or to someone God impresses upon them... then found that that what they had sacrificed was replenished... or returned to them many fold over. I am not talking about tithing, but giving beyond that act... Sometimes it is simply giving from the excess of what God has blessed us with, but there are times when we are asked to give more than we are capable of giving, and which causes us to experience sacrifice in our own lives. In each occurrence it seems that the more we suffer in our giving the greater we are rewarded, but even the simplest act of mercy brings us great reward, and joy.
I like to tell a couple of stories that occurred to me in two different McDonald’s restaurants. On both occasions a person who was down on their luck was attempting to purchase a meal and found themselves short of money. The first time it was because a man’s credit card was declined, and the second was because a coupon had expired. Both times God put me within hearing distance as these hungry and apparently homeless men begged, and pleaded, for the clerk to either run their card one more time, or simply extend the offer on the coupon. Both times I quietly stepped forward and in a near whisper told the attendant that I would pay for the meal. Both times the men looked at me and said “God Bless you!”, and hugged me. This wasn’t a big deal for me, I had sufficient money, so it didn’t hurt me financially, but although I gave those gifts years ago, I still remember the hugs and blessings to this day, as if I had just received them, and retelling these stories warms my heart now, and brings me the same joy today.
“The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.”
Proverbs 11:26 ESV
I am ashamed to admit that there have also been times when I walked right by someone in need, and did nothing. I have witnessed a person who I knew was hungry, or seen someone who had no shoes, and passed them by. The latter of these occurred years ago... I worked a few doors down from a charity that found day jobs for people who needed to earn enough money to survive one more day. Each morning I walked by the line of men waiting to go inside, and thought about how fortunate I was. Then, one morning I saw a face in the line that I didn’t recognize as a regular there. He was a bit cleaner than the others, and didn’t appear to be as worn by a hard life as those around him. Friday came, and I knew that on Fridays these men were paid for their work that week, so I was especially happy for this new man in line. When the next Monday came I noticed him standing in line with brand new shoes on. I knew he had used his paycheck to buy them, and smiled at the fact that he was working to provide for himself. The next day I looked for him as I walked to work, and almost didn’t recognize him... he had been beaten up, his face was cut and bruised, his clothes disheveled, and he was in stocking feet. Someone had mugged him and stolen his new shoes. The worst part is that I walked right by him that morning, and did nothing. I never saw this man in line again. My opportunity to make a difference in his life had passed, and from that moment forward I was left with the memory of having done nothing. This memory is as bitter and disappointing to me as the memories of the two men in McDonalds are satisfying, and joyful. Have you ever been called to be righteous and not responded?
“As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
2 Corinthians 9:9-10 ESV
We are rewarded in our giving, but receive less by not obeying the call to give. One brings us joy, and the other disappointment and remorse as we face ourselves. So how do we choose to live our lives? Are we giving, and receiving the full reward of God, or walking by those opportunities to be merciful, and suffering regret just as certainly? When at last we are judged will Jesus recount those “McDonalds” times in our lives, or recall the “shoeless men” we turned our face from? Will He know us by the fruit we have born... or know us not?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us a heart that cares for your children who have less than we do. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to know your joy, and receive the provision of your bountiful blessings, even as we provide for those around us. Forgive us Lord when we are selfish, and in those times we should have been good samaritans, or otherwise merciful in our giving, and did nothing. Teach us Holy Father what it means to give in loving kindness, and to receive your unbound love and joy in return. Teach us the secret of giving financially, and that even though you return our gift in kind, the real reward comes in our hearts, and souls as we carry the joy of those moments of caring for a lifetime, and beyond. Help us Merciful Father to show your love to others, and expect nothing in return... such is the grace you give us through Jesus... undeserved, and unearned forgiveness. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, who gives, and has given, from the endless love you possess for us. Praised be your name for revealing your greatest wonder; the depth and breadth of your love for us. Great are you who allows us to love others as you love us, and to give them gifts of ourselves and the blessings you have provided us... even as you give lovingly to us. The glory of your grace is yours alone Holy Father, and yet you allow us to taste your grace by our giving to others. How merciful you were, are, and will be forevermore.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:16-18 ESV
Rich Forbes