This week, I
spent a little time reflecting on the following passage in Proverbs:
spent a little time reflecting on the following passage in Proverbs:
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his maker, but
he who is gracious to the needy honors Him (Proverbs 14.31).
he who is gracious to the needy honors Him (Proverbs 14.31).
This
led to 1 John 3:17. But
whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in
need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in Him.
led to 1 John 3:17. But
whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in
need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in Him.
No
matter how I turned the phrase, the truth of it boils down to this: if the love
of God dwells in us, we live generously. We respond with gracious giving. The
needy (no matter the reason of their need…whether its because of wise choices
or otherwise) are taken care of – by me. Now, I’m not responsible for all the
needy in the world, nor am I responsible for all their needs. However, the
point is I help where I can among those who are in my world.
matter how I turned the phrase, the truth of it boils down to this: if the love
of God dwells in us, we live generously. We respond with gracious giving. The
needy (no matter the reason of their need…whether its because of wise choices
or otherwise) are taken care of – by me. Now, I’m not responsible for all the
needy in the world, nor am I responsible for all their needs. However, the
point is I help where I can among those who are in my world.
But,
I don’t. Something I know about me is that I ignore things that are hard to
deal with emotionally. I don’t deal well with my own pain, let alone someone
else’s. So, what I don’t like, I avoid. My city is filled with hurting, needy
people. My life is comfortable. I have food in the fridge. Clothes in the
closet. Shoes. Stuff. A house full of stuff. If the love of the Lord is in me,
well, I share with those in need. Why, then, don’t I? What is the real reason?
I don’t. Something I know about me is that I ignore things that are hard to
deal with emotionally. I don’t deal well with my own pain, let alone someone
else’s. So, what I don’t like, I avoid. My city is filled with hurting, needy
people. My life is comfortable. I have food in the fridge. Clothes in the
closet. Shoes. Stuff. A house full of stuff. If the love of the Lord is in me,
well, I share with those in need. Why, then, don’t I? What is the real reason?
As
I asked that question, I remembered another passage about the children of God
bringing gifts to God to be used on his behalf for his glory. The Word says
they gave out of their abundance. Abundance? These were folks who lived very
simple lives. These were people who paid huge taxes. These were people who
lived during the worst of times economically. These were people who barely got
by, but they saw themselves as having
ABUNDANCE.
I asked that question, I remembered another passage about the children of God
bringing gifts to God to be used on his behalf for his glory. The Word says
they gave out of their abundance. Abundance? These were folks who lived very
simple lives. These were people who paid huge taxes. These were people who
lived during the worst of times economically. These were people who barely got
by, but they saw themselves as having
ABUNDANCE.
This
speaks to the cure for my problem…gratitude/thanksgiving (eucharisteo).
Here’s how I know. The more I focus on what I have and respond to it all with a
heart of thanksgiving, the more I realize I DO HAVE. My focus isn’t on what I lack, it’s on my
abundance. Out of my abundance, then, I want to give. Out of my abundance, I
learn generosity. Out of my abundance and thanksgiving, I allow the love of the
Lord to cast out my fear of facing someone else’s pain, and, consequently, I am free
to become the hands and feet of Jesus.
speaks to the cure for my problem…gratitude/thanksgiving (eucharisteo).
Here’s how I know. The more I focus on what I have and respond to it all with a
heart of thanksgiving, the more I realize I DO HAVE. My focus isn’t on what I lack, it’s on my
abundance. Out of my abundance, then, I want to give. Out of my abundance, I
learn generosity. Out of my abundance and thanksgiving, I allow the love of the
Lord to cast out my fear of facing someone else’s pain, and, consequently, I am free
to become the hands and feet of Jesus.
The
cure to a lack of giving is gratitude. Plain and simple.
cure to a lack of giving is gratitude. Plain and simple.