We’ve been exhorted concerning money just about everywhere. Last time I wrote about whether or not money makes the world go ‘round and how we scrutinize the bottom line.
When talking about giving, however, it’s a little different. Giving touches our hearts. We see a need and we want to help. Yet, on the other hand, we look at our income and responsibilities, and tend to pull back. We look at giving as a sacrifice.
What if we looked at giving as an opportunity instead? Without reiterating all the volumes written and speeches made about giving, I’d like to suggest it is simply another way to worship God and love our neighbors.
We freely give – no strings attached. God gives freely to us. He meets our needs. He doesn’t hold back, and He’s lavish with His generosity.
That allows us to give freely to others and with no expectations or conditions on how they should spend it. There have been times when I have given away my hard earned cash with an idea of where it should go. I was disappointed and even a bit miffed when it wasn’t put where I intended it should go. I saw a need, I meant to help and it didn’t go there.
I had to struggle with that attitude. Why is it so hard to let that money go? Yet, I had to come to a place where I could give away funds—yep, that I had worked so hard for—and then turn away. Once given, it was no longer mine. I learned that I was giving to the Lord, not just to the person or organization and I determined to trust His judgment with what I gave.
It’s all His, anyway, from start to finish.
God gave. We received. We give. We let it go. God is worshipped.
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” I Peter 4:9,10.
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