I Have Something to Give!

“But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!””  Acts of the Apostles 3:6 NLT

My friend and I were sharing stories over coffee. It had been a little bit since we had gotten together so lots had happened over the few weeks. As we shared, we realized we both had a similar story. Hers happened in California, mine in West Virginia. 

Both of us knew someone who was moving from their home to another place. They could not afford the rent and needed to find something more reasonable. In one case, they were really at the bottom of their resources, so the move was hard. They were both trying to move by themselves. Have you ever tried to move by yourself? What an overwhelming, daunting task. 

In my case, my son told me he was going to help. I offered to go along because six hands are better than four. I also asked my dad to come because eight hands are better than six. After we finished the moving part, we took our friend to lunch and then the grocery store to buy some essentials. 

My friend had a similar experience. In her situation, God changed their travel plans just enough so she landed in CA right when her cousin needed to move. She recruited her husband and her son because eight hands are better than two. She went and helped her cousin move so he was not doing it alone.

As we shared these stories, today’s verse popped into my head. We may not have the money to rent movers or to pay for someone’s rent, but we do have our own form of silver and gold. It’s us. Peter and John offered what they could give (Jesus) and helped a man walk. When we offer what we can give, we also help people get on their feet. We share Jesus by offering ourselves and in that moment miracles happen. Miracles of love shared, and relief given. Miracles of Jesus being in the midst even if you don’t mention his name. 

I love the idea that we can help people “stand” when we are willing to give of what we have, ourselves and Jesus. All it takes is us to show up. How will you help someone stand today?

He Gave

For this is how God loved the world: He gave…John 3:16 (NLT)

Think about that for a minute. When we recite this verse we breeze through it because we know it so well. I know I get to the part that says for whoever believes in him, noting that everyone gets to come. But what if we stopped here, on the word gave.

How did God love the world? He gave. Apparently, love is given away. We always say that love is a verb. Well, could the verb be ‘to give?’ If we are to love like God loved, should we be giving away ourselves? That after all is what God did. He gave away Himself so we could know love.

We often make love about how we feel. It’s not really about that is it? According to God. It’s about what you give.

How will you/did you give love today?
Did you recognize that you shared love by what you gave or how you felt?
Do we always feel great when we love?
What could you give that would show someone love?
Is giving love about you or someone else? What was God’s example?

Have a very giving day.

A Minute In It - Relax!

A minute in God’s Word will change your life. Take a moment to read the texts below and then ponder the questions at the bottom of the post.

22-24 He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

25-28 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

33-34 “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Luke 12:22-34 (MSG)

What are you preoccupied with?
What do you want to get?
Do you spend as much time thinking about giving?
What draws you away from God’s plan into the weeds of your own?
What would happen if we trusted that God had the perfect plan?

A Minute In It - Do You Miss What You Gave?

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and answer the questions at the bottom of the post!

Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” Mark 12:41-44 (MSG)

If Jesus were watching you throughout your day, would he say you gave your all?
Do you give extravagantly to him with your money?
Your time?
Your care of others?
Your devotion to him?
Or, are you like the truly blessed folks in the story who give but don't even miss what they contribute?
Are you all in?

Gift From The Heart

Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. Exodus 25:2 (NLT)

I was listening to my Bible the other day and I heard today's text. Made me think....the Bible is pretty clear that we are to give God our tithe (Malachi 3:10). And it notes that tithe is ten percent. We are also told to give offering above what we give in tithe. But there really isn't a set amount.

And there is the rub. There isn't an amount so it's easy to forget about what this really is. Our offering is the amount we give to God from our heart.  It says in Exodus 25:2 that God only wanted the contributions of those whose hearts were in it.  It also says that again in Exodus 35:5.

"Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord." And in 1 Chronicles 29:9, "Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord." and "You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake." Deuteronomy 15:10. 

The New Testament continues the thought. 

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

There are so many texts about giving and sharing, taking care of others and trusting that God will provide. The thing that amazed me is that with all God gives us, what he wants in return is for our hearts to be in it. He wants us to be so in love with him that we willingly give to him and his people. And from that overflowing of worship, all the needs would be cared for.

If this is how we are supposed to give and if we love God as much as we say we do, why do we have such poverty in our world?  Makes you wonder......