Tag: money

A Cheerful Giver

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture2 Comments

God provides for each of us so that we can in turn provide for others. He gives us time, talents and money and wants us to be generous with them. Instead, we tend to be insular, hoarding things “just in case we need them.” That is not God’s way!

Suppose God saw that you have a need and decided to wait or to hold onto His bounty “just in case” someone else needed it more. God owns everything, so He can bless everyone. He teaches us the concept of giving in the person of His ultimate sacrifice, giving His Son that we might have eternal life. So, who are we to say that we will just hold onto what we have and wait to see if we need it. There are people today who need what we can give. We may not be able to give much, but we can give something.

The great thing about giving is that honestly, once you have given, you won’t miss it. I have found that God blesses me in the most unexpected ways and at the most surprising times, if only I will open my hands and give. But I have to give with the right spirit, one of cheerful optimism, knowing that God will use what I give in a way that will bless others more than I can imagine. Talents? Use them for God. Time? Dedicate it to God. And money, that thing we have a tendency to hold on to? Don’t let money be the thing that stands between you and God’s blessing. Let it go and see what He will do.

When the Holy Spirit urges you to give, just do it, with a smile on your face and a light heart. Don’t expect to be repaid but rather give thinking you may never get repaid. The blessing you think you deserve won’t come the way you expect it or when you are demanding it, but it will come in God’s time and in proportion to your faithfulness.

God meets your needs when you meet the needs of others. It is the cycle of giving that God started and He wants us to continue it. I am not saying what to give or to whom to give, but I am saying that giving should be part of your Christian walk.

Have a blessed day! And may you give as the Spirit tells you of your time, talent and money.

Active Generosity

On By vickleaIn Family and Friends, Scripture3 Comments

Generosity is, of course, associated with giving. And most people then go on to assume that giving has to be money. But that is not an accurate assumption. God has given us many talents and brings them to the forefront when we become Christians. I think the Lord does that because He wants us to use our strengths, our talents if you will, to serve others. I may not (and I don’t) have a lot of money. But what I do have is a love of God to share with others. I have a talent for teaching, so working with children in Children’s Church is a good fit for me. Sometimes, I have to step out of my comfort zone to share something the Lord has shown me to others. But I am called to tell, not to remain silent. So, generosity takes the form of whatever you have to share. For my husband, it is his bountiful harvest of vegetables, especially tomatoes. He also shares his gift of growing things with me as he has planted a gorgeous flower garden outside my window in the den. He takes vegetables to our church group to share and to our children when we visit them. He shares his love for the earth and all it produces when we visit our daughter and he spends long hours tilling, planting and fencing in the garden for her. That is what I mean by active generosity. When the grandchildren look out the window and see Grandpa lying on the ground putting tiny seeds in rows, they are amazed that he spends hours scooting along the ground to plant. Then, many months later, they enjoy the peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes he planted for them. His diligence is rewarded with fruit that he never sees or tastes, but he knows that he has left behind food for a family that we love dearly.

My husband with his last harvest of peas. First year he has successfully grown them!
The rose bush my husband planted in the garden just outside my window.
Harry planting a garden in MD with the grandchildren, showing them how to plant, add black plastic and water. They really enjoyed the tomatoes and cucumbers as well as the blueberries that they planted with Grandpa on the “hill.”

As you think about this Scripture, think about ways you can be generous. What legacy can you leave behind that is not money? We have so many good things that Jesus has given us…let’s share them with others.