All tagged Giving
Are you in the midst of spiritual study, prayer, and contemplation with your spouse, your family, or a small group of friends? Perhaps you are taking a break at your place of work to quickly read a few verses of scripture, or this devotional message, while the daily grind goes on around you. Every moment that we find to spend with God is precious, and to be cherished, but none more so than when we are completely alone with Him..
In this the time of Advent when we wait expectantly for the coming of Christ, we also are in the final days of the financial year for many businesses. In faith we praise God for the birth of His Son, but as workers, and businessmen we are determining the financial success of our store, farm, or business. On the one hand is great joy and anticipation, but on the other is a temptation to increase our earnings, possibly by nefarious means... in the one hand we hold the lamb of God, but with the other we often stroke the head of our selfishness, and greed.
We are not ordered by God to give this, or that, for His causes, but asked to give only what we feel in our heart. For some this might be an everyday offering of oil to keep the lamps in the Church lit at night, while for others it could be a more costly gift such as gold, or onyx stones for the breastplate of the priest. God has a plan, and He speaks to our individual hearts concerning our part in it.
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.
We read scripture and it tells us that laying our life down for another is a singularly great act of love, but how do you go about doing this? Is it a life ending experience? I am going to surprise you by saying that there may be more to it. More often we give our life not in death, but in the unselfish and complete service of another, and if we are the recipients of this kind of love how are we to honor it?
Are you wealthy? Maybe you are rich in earthly land, goods, and gold, but then again maybe you have been given much spiritually and your treasure is being amassed in heaven. Whichever our fortune is, we should always remember that all we have comes from God, and that His intention is not for us to horde His gifts but to share them. We are not the owners, but just the managers, or stewards of God’s provision.
Has God provided you with ample wealth and provision? Do you lack for nothing, and thank Him for it each day? Do you go about your work, and ask Him to bless you even more? Well this is good, and some will prosper in this world, but if you look in the shadow that you cast there are many who are in need, and want for the very basic necessities of life... what have you done for them? What is the will of God for you, and how do you manage the wealth He has entrusted you with?
Giving God the glory for those things He does through us can be a difficult thing to accomplish, and has been the undoing of many... including pastors. It seems the more gifts we have been given, and especially the more our natural gifts are, the harder it becomes for us to reflect the fullness of light back to its rightful star. You see, no matter how brightly a planet shines in the night sky, it is never truly the origin of the light... and likewise, no matter how great God’s will is manifest in us... we are just His reflection.
How do you behave at home? I am not talking simply about your physical home on earth, but your spiritual home in heaven. We concentrate a great deal on what a good Father God is, but what kind of daughter or son are you? Do you love Him with all your heart? Do you serve Him and do His will? Do you honor Him, or do you expect Him to honor your prayers and requests without reciprocation? Do you feel that He is obligated to provide all your desires while you do nothing? Are you a spoiled child?
How would you classify yourself; are you a giver, or a receiver? When you pray your morning prayers do you ask the Lord to show where you can be of service to Him, or for a need to be filled? When I asked if you were a giver or receiver I’ll bet you immediately felt that being a giver was good, but had a negative feeling about being a receiver. The fact is that both are good.
Are you one of those people that will give someone the shirt off their back, but that won’t accept a gift yourself? Does it make you uncomfortable when someone does something for you; so much so that you have to repay them in some manner before you can rest? Then grace is probably your worst nightmare!
Have you ever received manna from heaven? Maybe you haven’t been the recipient of this heavenly food specifically, but has some form of spiritual or supernatural rescue or provision been provided for you? How about a call from God to be that answer to someone else’s need or prayer? When God uses us in this way we suddenly realize the immenseness of the blessing that comes from being in His service.