Skip to main content

sharing with others


By realizing that everything belongs to God in the first place we respond differently.  When our lives are in order, putting God first, all of life will be in order, and we will have peace.  If our lives are out of order, then we will never know order that sticks.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.

It all belongs to God.  You get that.  But there is a test.  How do you hold things?  Are you greedy or gracious?  Do you hoard all you have for a rainy day, or are you constantly sharing what God has given you?  Having great perspective is a big deal.

If you are like me, you have experienced the kindness of God through what you have learned and what you have experienced.  The kindness of God transforms our lives.  It changes the way we think as well as the way we react to the things that happen around us.  Perspective gained through that kindness will lead us to see God even more.

But Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you

Before anything else, seek God.  As I look back over the back2school event, I see how God put together a group of people that have sought him and have seen Him do amazing things.  Last week I wrote that “we can do more together than we can do a part”.  That is a fact.  What we can accomplish as a group of people goes way beyond what we have done or can do by ourselves, and when God is in the mix, lives are changed!

This applies to our giving as well.  How we use what we have been given demonstrates how our perspective has changed.  As the first verse said it is all God’s any way.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Joy is a huge benefit and is found in our lives when our focus is on God.  People throughout the centuries have found themselves filled with joy when they gave, and their joy came by their choice to give.  Giving is a big deal to the people who have been radically changed by God.  The questions change from what can I keep or how much can I hoard, to how much can I give or who I can bless next.

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

There is an ROI (return on investment) that comes.  It comes as we watch God work and allow God to work through our lives.  The grace of God makes this possible.  Literally Jesus became poor for us in order to make us rich.  There is perspective.  And I need that.

How can we keep all we have for ourselves?  How can we not share with others and share what God has done when things have changed so much?  Watch God work as you give and God fills you with joy.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

  John 13:4-5,14 NLT  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow.  He served.  He valued and gave value to others.  That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet.  It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives.  Jesus said we should do this.  See the verse above.  Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you ...