I know you've heard it, especially this time of year. It's more blessed to give than to receive. Yeah, yeah, enough already. But I'm here to tell you: IT WORKS!
The contemporary teacher that resonates with me the most is Joyce Meyer. Joyce frequently says the more we need, the more we need to give. I heard her say it so much that I finally began doing it. AND IT WORKS!
Have you ever felt like the more you try to do right, the more that seems to go wrong? Who hasn't been there!
As Tom and I attacked our new retirement plan with fervor, all kinds of crazy started happening with our finances. Extra insurance payments were deducted from our account. The bank canceled credit card payments. Tom was diagnosed with a herniated disc, possibly needing surgery. On and on. A crisis was on the horizon. Good grief!
Coming up for air after yelling at the bedroom ceiling, "Don't they know about Christmas and taxes!", I finally remembered. I remembered the more we need, the more we need to give.
So, I started cleaning out my closet and looking for anything useful to give away. Tom chipped in a few things, too. He was beginning to get it. He doesn't fuss near as much as he used to when I donate almost new garments. Instead of trying to explain the Lord said to donate the good stuff, too, now I just have to give him the look.
Usually I take the precious bundle to the drop off bin. Other times, Tom and I stop by on the way somewhere else. This time it worked out for Tom to take it by himself, and I'm so glad it did!
A couple of days later, Tom came in from checking the mail waving an envelope and grinning. "You know that load we donated last weekend? It really does work!" he said.
Tom was waving a totally unexpected refund from the doctor's office. Over the next several days all of the money issues were resolved. Some were even to our advantage.
I think Tom making the delivery helped him make the connection between faith, obedience and blessing. Now he seems just as convinced as I am that obedience can literally pay off.
I'm learning that maybe when Jesus said, "Whoever has been given much will be responsible for much. Much more will be expected from the one who has been given more,” (Luke 12:48) He wasn't talking about anything material.
For me, it means we need to use every ounce of faith and trust we've been given. And every time we do, our faith and trust will increase. The lesson isn't about donating clothes and getting refund checks. It's about believing God will take care of us, and obeying His promptings.
Dear Reader, my prayer for you during this season of giving is that your faith will grow by leaps and bounds. I pray giving in faith will bless your socks off!
The contemporary teacher that resonates with me the most is Joyce Meyer. Joyce frequently says the more we need, the more we need to give. I heard her say it so much that I finally began doing it. AND IT WORKS!
Have you ever felt like the more you try to do right, the more that seems to go wrong? Who hasn't been there!
As Tom and I attacked our new retirement plan with fervor, all kinds of crazy started happening with our finances. Extra insurance payments were deducted from our account. The bank canceled credit card payments. Tom was diagnosed with a herniated disc, possibly needing surgery. On and on. A crisis was on the horizon. Good grief!
Coming up for air after yelling at the bedroom ceiling, "Don't they know about Christmas and taxes!", I finally remembered. I remembered the more we need, the more we need to give.
So, I started cleaning out my closet and looking for anything useful to give away. Tom chipped in a few things, too. He was beginning to get it. He doesn't fuss near as much as he used to when I donate almost new garments. Instead of trying to explain the Lord said to donate the good stuff, too, now I just have to give him the look.
Usually I take the precious bundle to the drop off bin. Other times, Tom and I stop by on the way somewhere else. This time it worked out for Tom to take it by himself, and I'm so glad it did!
A couple of days later, Tom came in from checking the mail waving an envelope and grinning. "You know that load we donated last weekend? It really does work!" he said.
Tom was waving a totally unexpected refund from the doctor's office. Over the next several days all of the money issues were resolved. Some were even to our advantage.
I think Tom making the delivery helped him make the connection between faith, obedience and blessing. Now he seems just as convinced as I am that obedience can literally pay off.
I'm learning that maybe when Jesus said, "Whoever has been given much will be responsible for much. Much more will be expected from the one who has been given more,” (Luke 12:48) He wasn't talking about anything material.
For me, it means we need to use every ounce of faith and trust we've been given. And every time we do, our faith and trust will increase. The lesson isn't about donating clothes and getting refund checks. It's about believing God will take care of us, and obeying His promptings.
Dear Reader, my prayer for you during this season of giving is that your faith will grow by leaps and bounds. I pray giving in faith will bless your socks off!
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