Taking Instead of Giving

1 John3:16-18 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

I don’t enjoy taking things from people.  This usually means money.  I picked an item up for my friend not too long ago and she was going to give me the money for it when I dropped it off.  I felt terrible taking the money from her even though I had no obligation to pay for it.  A couple of years ago, around Christmas, I was on my way to make a payment.  I stopped by my work first.  Upon returning to my car, I pulled out my wallet and realized my money was gone.  Come to find out, I had set it in my lap after stopping at the ATM and it had fallen out.  A few weeks later I had a note on my windshield.  I pulled it out and found the same amount of money I had lost, wrapped in the folds of the paper.  I found out later it was from a close friend of mine who felt bad I had lost so much money.  I told her she didn’t have to do that and I wanted her to take it back.  She stopped me and replied, “Just let me bless you.”  My heart swelled to have a friend want to bless me!  We always get stuck on making sure we bless other people.  We never think that God is going to ask us to put our pride aside so that others can bless us.  It always seems it should be the other way around!  God tells us to show our love by giving and helping each other.  So, the next time somebody wants to do something nice for you, don’t be so quick to shut them down, God just may be wanting to bless you and show you you’re loved.

Proverbs 29:23 “Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.”

Give Me That Cookie!

Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

I enjoy watching children choose something.  Like picking a cookie off the plate, they want to get the biggest, prettiest looking one possible.  If they get the chance to choose first between two items they will choose the best for themselves and leave the other person with the one that is lacking.  At least they’re honest about it, right?  As we mature we’re supposed to put childish ways behind us, especially as we mature in our Christian walk.  In other words, stop taking the best cookie for yourself!  It’s human nature to always want the best for ourselves.  Guess what?  Jesus could have had the best life for Himself because He was perfect!  Instead, He chose to give up everything for us.  Seems dumb to compare it to getting the best cookie, but in everything we do we are to shine the example of Christ.  I have seen two friends working at the same place and lose their friendship over a job opening they both wanted.  That job could end but friendships are for a lifetime.  So, sacrifice the best for the lacking.  You never know, you may end up with the best or something better than the best.  God loves to bless those who are faithful to show the example He set.

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”



Doing Just to do

Mark 4:24 “Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."

I very much dislike watching TV evangelists sometimes.  It depends on the type.  I’ve seen a few jump up on the stage, yell something about love, and then tell you to step on down and donate a thousand dollars to receive a blessing from the Lord.  Really?  You can’t buy God’s blessings.  If you want to give to someone or something, do so.  Don’t give with the expectation of receiving something back.  If you’re going to give just to get, then don’t give at all.  Jesus didn’t come down and say, “If you donate a thousand dollars to that church over there, I’ll die on the cross for you.”  No, He gave us that gift while receiving absolutely nothing in return.  Don’t get me wrong, giving is a wonderful thing; but your reasoning behind it makes all the difference.  Giving is a sacrifice not an exchange.  

Acts 20:22 “You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, You're far happier giving than getting.”