Friday 10 February 2012

Today Reminder - 10 February 2012 (Gift of giving)


My prayer for you for today is that by receiving God’s love and grace so freely you will be encouraged to give and also give more of yourself for His glory, in Jesus Name.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9
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. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,

"They share freely and give generously to the poor.
  Their good deeds will be remembered forever."(Psalm 112:9)

The gift of giving. It is been said that it is far more satisfying and uplifting to give than to receive, yet we give so reluctantly. We hold back on giving, I think, because of a fear (again created by an ever present enemy) that we will not have anything left for ourselves. I believe that we must give but give what you can, I think it is not what we give but the way we give. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:12” Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.”

I believe giving eagerly is what will show Jesus in you and not what you give. Jesus made the remark about the poor widow that gave all she had compared to the wealthy people that gave out of their abundance. Jesus said that in the little she gave, she gave more than what the rest gave even if the value was so much less. Remember, whatever you have you did not give it to yourself. I said in an earlier post that the ability to work is a gift from God. Your arms, legs, eyes and yes your brain was given to you before birth. You did not get those by yourself, so yes everything you have and are is a blessing out of God’s great love. 

To me the greatest challenge in giving is not a few cents you place in a poor man’s hand but in giving of yourself. Now hear this: 2 Corinthians 8:5” They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”

I love that: Give yourselves to the Lord! Now I guess I can write days on this specifically but let me try to summarise: It all started when God spoke, He created the heavens and the earth. He matched the right cells to start your birth and formulated you into the person you are by giving you “life” first and then adding all the nice stuff, your arms and legs and eyes and hair, your smile, your voice and your talents. You are a work of art changed and made more perfect every day. By giving yourself to the Lord and accepting Him in your life it will all start to fall in place as your picture becomes more perfect. When your relationship with God is your primary goal you will be able to give eagerly, because you will follow His example and His direction. You will know when to give and what to give and this gift will magnify and glorify God. You will not only be blessing other but you will be blessed too - "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Give a little more of you, give a little more love, a little more patience, a little more joy, a little more laughs, a little more kindness, a little more time and little more Jesus.

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. You remain in my prayers.

Cheers

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