Random Thoughts about Giving

Giving seems to be the theme of the month in different studies and Scripture reading. Perhaps it's an area in which I can grow...no, it IS an area in which I can grow!

Here are some random thoughts about giving pulled from various places:

1. God blesses generous people.

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor (Prov 22:9).

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done (Prov 19:17).

2. Biblical generosity involves sacrifice.

The Macedonian churches gave "out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints" (2 Cor 8:2-4).

3. Biblical generosity is thoughtful, voluntary, and worshipful.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7).

4. Giving is commanded.

"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made (1 Cor 16:2).

5. While meeting the needs of our family is commanded, laying up wealth (building equity, a large retirement fund, big house, new boat, trendy clothing, extravagant vacations, etc.) is described as a snare to spiritual growth.

"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim 5:8).

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (1 Tim 6:6-8).

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Tim 6:17).

6. Caring for the physical needs of the disadvantaged is an act of worship.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction..." (James 1:27).

7. Our earthly possessions reveal our spirituality.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:19-21).

So, what's the application that you need to be working on?

Do you stop and think about how you could be giving that money rather than spending it?

I've got some work to do, how about you?

Freedom is Possible

Have you seen the commercials to get people to stop smoking?

A lady gives tips about how to get dressed for the day. A man gives the tip to shower facing away from the water so you don't get water down the hole in your chest. A woman suggests recording your voice, singing a lullaby or reading a children's book, so that your grandchildren will know what your voice used to sound like. Another man tells how his smoking took his wife.

I have no doubt of the earnestness of these people's pleas.

But do scare tactics break us from addictions?

I remember in elementary school the American Lung Association came to our school with a trailer. In the trailer was a display of lungs. The healthy ones and the ones that had been affected by cigarette smoke.

Now maybe that did keep a few people away from smoking. But not all. If it had been effective, the tobacco  companies would have gone out of business by now.

And if it's not cigarette smoking, there's a long list of addictions.

Drugs. Porn. Work. Food. Fashion. Violence. Attention. Hobbies. Money. Power. Sex. Vacations.

Why is that? Why are we so easily addicted? Why do we accept them? Why do we laugh at some of them? Why do we turn our noses up at some of them, yet follow our own?

The addiction is not the problem. The addiction is just the symptom.

We want something. We know that something is missing. We are hoping to find it in one of those avenues.

And if you look closely enough, it's all about me. I want something and I want this substance, or these people, or this job, to give me what I want.

It's a vicious cycle, because those things will not satisfy. A drug addict is never satisfied. A workaholic works more. Violence becomes more intense and graphic. More money is spent on the hunting gear.

And yet it's not satisfying. It's still empty. It's not even really fun anymore. 

"I don't get no satisfaction."

But maybe next time. Maybe this trip. Maybe this job. Maybe this partner.

Is there a solution?

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

True freedom comes only through the Son, Jesus Christ.

And it's not some magic spell that Jesus says to remove your desires. It's not a series of prayers or beatings or exorcisms that will drive the addictions out.

It's satisfaction. 

Jesus sets you free by replacing those desires with desires to please Him, not yourself. Jesus sets you free by satisfying your needs. Jesus sets you free by turning your selfishness into generosity.