H.U.M.P. Day!

Wednesday December 8, 2010

Be generous; invest in acts of charity.  Charity yields high returns.  Don't hoard your goods; spread them around.  Be a blessing to others.... (Ecc. 11:1-2 Mess.)

We often find ourselves looking for ways to make more.  We want to make more time, make more fun, and yes, make more money.  There's nothing wrong with these kinds of ambitions.  What gives them a black eye is when God's people consult the world for these strategies.  God knows we need resources.  He knows it takes money to further His kingdom here on Earth.  So we need to release ourselves to want more, but recognize the "more" we seek only comes from Him.

God's word says to be generous.  This means He not only wants us to freely share what we have, He wants us to make sure it's enough.  Sharing, in its root form means equal or sufficient.  So when someone needs something from me, I not only seek to fulfill the need, but I try to make sure it's enough to really bless them.  Remember the 5,000 people Jesus fed.  He took that kid's lunch and multiplied it.  When the kid got his basket back, there was more food in it than what he had given.  So yes, the kid had to give at a great sacrificial level, but the return was greater than what he sacrificed.   God also said to invest in acts of charity.  A friend of mine said the other day we should stop talking about outreach and actually DO something.  That was a simple but very profound statement.  Because God never told us to invest in "thoughts" of charity, or "plans" of charity.  He said invest in "acts" of charity.  

Some might say "I don't have much to give".  The scripture said don't "hoard your goods".  This means God is okay with us giving some of the things we already have.  There's something you have that's dispensible to you, but valuable to someone else.  Share it.  The return would be awesome!  To get a blessing this holiday season, you have to be a blessing this holiday season.  Happy HUMP Day!