A Season of Giving

We are in a beautiful season.  Christmas, the season of giving.  Of course, we know that we should always have a heart of giving, but this time of year we tend to focus on giving a little more.

Nehemiah said, "go and enjoy choice good and 

sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing 

prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve 

for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

The Word of God tells us to share with those who do not have.  As I read this verse this morning God spoke to my heart.  So often I complain that I am without this or that.  Or I struggle to pay bills.  I complain, I act like I am without, but the truth is, I am so very, very blessed.  God has greatly blessed my family.  We may not always have a three course meal, but we always have food.  My car may not be brand new, but I have a car.  My house may not be fancy, but I have a home.  God has greatly blessed me, how can I not share?

God may be calling us to give a meal to the family down the street.  Pay for gas for the car next to us at the station.  Pay for the car behind us in the drive thru.  Last year our church did random acts of kindness and one group went to a gas station to pay for someone's gas and the lady said through tears that she was putting her very last twenty dollars into her tank and had no idea when more money was coming in.  After the random act of kindness, she was able to use her twenty dollars for food.  A couple of years ago, I paid for the car behind me in the drive thru and I always try to drive off before I am 'caught' but this time the restaurant was a little slow and I caught a glimpse of the confused woman as she laid her head in her hands and cried.  I do not know her circumstances but I do know that God touched her that day.

What can you do to bless someone?  Can you send a card or meal to the widow or single mom?  Can you buy blankets for a family you know is in need?  Are you in the position to pay the utility bill for a family struggling to keep the utilities on?  Can you invite the lonely widower from down the block over for a family dinner in your home?

There are so many things we can do to share and bless others.  What will you do?

Sweet Blessings~

Linking with:

Into The Beautiful 

Titus Tuesday  

On Your Heart Tuesday 

Soli Deo Gloria

Teach Me Tuesday

Hear it on Sunday, Use it On Monday

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Open Hands vs Closed Fists

Today as I was reading in Acts, the story of Ananias and Sapphira stuck out to me. The believers felt that what they had was not their own so they shared. They sold property and possessions and brought the money to the apostles to be used for people in need.  This was not a 'requirement.'  The property was theirs and the money was theirs.  They were doing an incredible thing by giving, but they were not required to do this.

Ananias and Sapphira became greedy.  They sold their property but only took a part of the money to the apostles.  Peter asked if this was everything they had.  Ananias said yes.

"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land?  Didn't it belong to you before it sold?  And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing?  You have not lied to men but to God.'"  Acts 5:3-4

Peter was telling him it was his property and money, all he had to do was be honest about it.  It was the essentially the lie that hurt him and ended his life, but that lie started by greed.  In comes Sapphira, also full of greed, and she lied as well.  Ending her life.

Ananias and Sapphira gave with closed fists.  They held onto what they had and choose not to give all they had.

Luke 21 tells us of the rich and the widow.  The rich gave their large gifts.  They could give a lot because they had a lot.  But here you have the widow who only gave two small copper coins.  Her gift was so small, especially compared to the rich men.  But in truth, she gave more because she gave all she had.  She gave with open hands and gave everything.

Are you giving all you have?

You only give God twenty minutes a day because that is all you have.  But what about that time you sit and play video games or watch tv for hours on end?  You tithe, but only giving God eight percent of your income because you really 'need' that extra few dollars.  You give Him control of your life, but not the part that is addicted to p*rn.  You give God your attitude but not when it comes to that cranky old neighbor.

Are you giving to God with a closed fist or with open hands?  When you give with a closed fist, how can God fill it with blessings?  Friends, open your hands and give sacrificially to God and see how the blessings freely flow.

Sweet Blessings~
  



Linking with:
Thought Provoking Thursday
Grafe Cafe
Proverbs 31 Thursday