"I want to just give freely, trusting in God to fill in those gaps. Eventually my mind caught up with my heart and I have been able to give more freely without thinking of my circumstances." - Me (From the post I didn't want to publish)
My thoughts on giving are simple.
Give more than you receive.
Give joyfully.
Give more than necessary.
Give more than what is asked of you.
I remember my very first job interview after graduating from college. The last thing I said to the interviewer was "To whom much is given, much is required". At the time I didn't really think of the biblical meaning but it was definitely something that I believed in at the moment.
I believed in it because I knew that if I wanted this job I was going to have to go all out. I was going to have to do more than what was required and I had to have a good attitude about it. It certainly paid off in the end because I got the job and it's the same job I have been employed at for the last 5 years.
Even though circumstances have changed and God is definitely revealing His plan for my life I still hold on to "To whom much is given, much is required", but in a very different way.
See work is no longer the most important thing in my life. Years ago that's all I cared about...finding a good job and making enough money to live comfortably. Before getting married I was barely making ends meet and I certainly wasn't in a giving mood.
I knew that giving was something that I should be doing and I really wanted to but I couldn't see beyond my circumstances to allow my heart to match my mind. I believed that I needed to make more money to be able to give. Well the bible says that isn't so...
Luke 6:38 says...
"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."
Today in my walk with Christ I purpose my heart towards giving to make sure it lines up with the word of God. I choose to give even when the check ledger seems unbalanced. When this happens and I give freely I can testify that God meets every one of my family's needs.
We haven't went without. My peace came from knowing that God fills in gaps that we cannot see. My peace also comes from knowing that I put my trust in Jesus and gave freely from my heart so that I could be a vessel that God blesses someone else through.
Whatever your circumstances or financial situation may be; if you feel the Holy Spirit tugging at you to give, do it. Don't worry about anything and don't focus on anyone but Jesus. Your peace about giving will soon follow.
Here are some more scriptures about giving that may be of encouragement to you:
2 Corinthians 8:7, 13-14
“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ... Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality ...”
Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.
Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
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8 comments:
Latoya, girl...you are always on time! God has a way of speaking to us through others and today he has chosen you. As I shared with y'all on my blog, (not specifically though) I have been praying about a certain area of giving. And now I feel that God has given me an answer through your post today. I need to "Just Do It!" Thanks for being a vessel that God can use.
Oh wow Daisha! Praise God for His timing, so glad to hear that!
This: "My peace came from knowing that God fills in gaps that we cannot see." Love it!
What an awesome reminder that God always provides for His children when we obey. Giving has been on my heart for quite some time now. Admittedly, I hold on to our money tighter than I should because we're often living paycheck to paycheck as it is. I pray that the truths that you've shared here will seep into my heart and take root.
@ Alison, that is my favorite part of the post too:) @ Alana, I'm praying the same for you as well. Even if things are tight we can always show up to give in some other way because we can't in anyway beat God's giving:)
I love "God fills in the cracks we cannot see." what a gorgeous gorgeous quote and thing to remember this week. thank you for sharing from your heart.
In the past I always thought giving meant donating money. Now that I'm older I realize donating your time can be just as helpful to someone in need. Thanks for the reminder.
"...we haven't gone without." I always heard you can never outgive God. I have sure found it to be true. Whether I am giving of my money, my time or my possessions, I'm never in need. Awesome article. I love how you backed it up with so much Scripture.
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