Friday, June 3, 2011

UNAFRAID TO BE GENEROUS

UNAFRAID TO BE GENEROUS
Luke 12:32-34  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)



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Why does generosity seem to move so slowly in some parts of God's family? It is simple: we are afraid that if we give away our money, food, possessions, time and energy - there will not be enough left to meet our own needs! In these verses we overhear Jesus teaching His disciples not to worry about anything, because Father God is a giver by nature. Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" In giving Jesus as the Saviour of the world, He also promised to provide for all who believe in Him (John 16:27).

Make no mistake, salvation embraces our guilt and also our need. God cannot allow the subjects of His Kingdom to be destitute. Indeed, He gives to us as His agents of mercy; so that we can pass it on to others too. Retaining it all for ourselves will deprive those around us of what they might need. All that we retain for ourselves will leak away like money in purses with holes; but if given away, the blessing will be multiplied, our daily needs satisfied and God will be glorified. Jesus is not saying that the more you give the more you will get (He does not promise riches but enough for each day). But He is saying that citizens of His kingdom have a responsibility to use the resources He gives us in a way which will honour the King and meet the needs of others.

It starts to go wrong the moment we treasure His gifts as personally ours to retain for ourselves. If we treasure our personal security so much that we can never share, we are not treasuring the Lord who gives us all things. But if we love Him above all else, then what we have will be seen as His treasure to be used for whatever purpose will please Him. That kind of lifestyle will give worry no place to breed. If we trust the Lord for our daily supply then we don't need to spend anxious hours awake at night or be saturated by stress. That will be a great relief to us, and everybody around us too!

Prayer:  Gracious Lord. Thank You for this clear command to strengthen our faith by giving away what we night otherwise treasure up for ourselves. Please forgive me for holding on to my money and possessions too tightly, as if I have no loving Father, and no responsibility to share with others. And forgive me for getting so worried that I will not have enough. Please help me to obey Your leading about what I give away and trust You to keep on meeting my needs so that my friends and colleagues will see what a faithful God You are. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
  

Remember you were born at such a time as this to win in life and may you experience countless victories in Jesus name
JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE

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