Daily Thoughts about God Posts

Serving and giving are two verbs that describe the essence of the Christian life. I wish this weren’t true because I have trouble with both of these. Serving is something I have expected others to do for me, and giving is something I often put off until I have more. My warped thinking goes something like this: When I have enough to spare, I will be more than happy to be a generous person. You will never have seen such a generous person! In fact, I will break the bank on generosity — just you wait and see — as long as I have enough left over for my needs. And since I rarely have enough for my own needs that means I don’t have to worry about this giving stuff.

Right about now, some of you are thinking that I’m not a very spiritual guy. Well, I don’t know about how spiritual I am; I’m just being honest. This idea of characterizing my life by giving and serving is hard. It’s not an easy thing to serve and give when you are thinking about yourself all the time.

Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, ”

I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

This widow blows a big hole in my excuse theory, doesn’t she? She simply gave what she had. She wasn’t waiting for anything. Actually, according to Jesus, giving and receiving works opposite to what we naturally think. We think, “Once I receive, I will start giving.” Jesus always said,

Give and you will receive. Be faithful with the little that you have and I will give you more.”

A widow once brought a paltry little offering to the temple, but in Jesus’ economy, she out gave the wealthy, because she gave all she had.

Lord, make the subject of my thinking someone other than me for a change. Make me aware of others. Help me to think about those around me before I think of myself. And help me to learn to give, not like the great philanthropists whose wealth I so often envy, but like this poor widow, who, according to you, knew the true measure of giving.

Question: What are some ways that you can encourage yourself to give more freely?

by John Fischer
Used by Permission

We Welcome your comments.

Enter Email
reCAPTCHA

 

thoughts by John Fischer Thoughts by Men

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.Matthew 10:42

One Sunday we were having lunch with friends and discussing the desperate shortage of clean water in so many parts of the world today. Think of it — an estimated 25–37 million people die every year because of contaminated water.

Next time you drink a glass of water or take a sip of bottled water, pray for the families who must drink water that could bring on disease and death. Pray for the mothers and children. What can we as women do? Jesus said even one cup of water given to a little one would be rewarded.

1. PRAY. Each time you have a glass of water, pray for the success of the organizations that are attempting to drill wells to supply clean water.

2. RESEARCH. Become informed and inform others. Use your coffee time to recruit others to pray and give.

3. GIVE. Every dollar counts. Jesus talked about one cup of water. He talked about a widow giving a mite.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

We Welcome your comments.

Enter Email
reCAPTCHA

FURTHER READING

Giving Freely to Others by Karen Woodard

• Joyful Generosity by Caran Jantzen

What the Lord Values!

RECEIVE These Devotionals Daily by email:  FOLLOW THIS Link to Subscribe


Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  • Pinterest

thoughts by Katherine Kehler Thoughts by Women