Giving from the Heart

Today's scripture keeps our focus on generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 talks about what happens when we live generously. Living generously cannot be merely an act of obedience.  True generosity is a matter of the heart. It is not always something you can plan.

I love how The Message interprets this passage. Verse 9 says,  “As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon.”

Have you ever thrown caution to the winds? It’s fun to do if we think of going on an adventure, but when we think of giving our resources we definitely tend to be cautious.

We say we are being a “good steward” with what God has given us when really our hearts don't want to give.  While I don't think God wants us to waste our time, money or talents, when I read this passage I can't ignore where it says God wants us to give with, “reckless abandon” so that people will come to know Christ through our generosity.

Last weekend my family and I were out in a really poor neighborhood, that our church has adopted, knocking on doors seeing if there are any kids we could provide Christmas presents for.  While we were out one of the residents, an elderly woman was taking out her trash.  I told my ten-year-old to run over and take the bag of trash to the garbage for her.

She insisted that he didn't need to do that for her, but I just winked at her and said please let him give her his time.  My son was extremely happy to be able to help in some way. The woman was touch when she saw how he really wanted to help and allowed us to stay for a bit and talk.  Before we left we were able to pray with her.  

Generous living isn't just giving your money.  It is giving what is needed recklessly and with abandon if need be. “God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.”

Ready today's passage here 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Share and Share Alike Acts 4:31-37

My five-year-old was at the park the other day enjoying our unseasonably warm fall weather. He contentedly played with a few other preschoolers, who had the same idea, while I enjoyed some adult conversation with the other mothers.

We watched as our children interacted letting their imaginations go.
At one point, during their play, my son brought out his bubbles. Bubbles are always a hit as the kid’s chase the wind blown spheres through the playground hoping to pop any that dare to float within reach.  

Us mothers were only partially attentive until one child reach toward the bubble container and exclaimed, “It’s my turn.” We all held our breath and readied our reaction knowing full well that Evan may not willingly relinquish his toy.

Calmly, Evan replaced the bubble wand into the container and shared with the other child. My heart melted at the site and the other mothers responded with a unison “Aww.” It felt good seeing my son willingly give up something he loved so that someone else could have fun.

Our scripture passage today shows the disciple freely giving of what they have to those in need. Our passage says, “No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” Let’s model the example of the disciples, and preschoolers everywhere, by sharing what we have with those around us, and then sit back and listen as the angles in heaven collectively say, “Aww”.

Read today's passage here