Focus Scriptures:
"It is well
with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with
justice."
Psalm 112: 5
"God delights
in a person with a willing and a generous heart. He loves a cheerful
giver."
2 Corinthians 9: 7
"The merciful,
kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him],
but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself
retribution."
Proverbs 11: 17
WOW, I am not sure
how much more toe stomping I can take! I am sitting here thinking about all the
times someone asked me to do something for them and I only did it after thinking about it because I did not want to deal with the guilt
of not doing it. The truth is I did not
really want to whatever that thing was. Sometimes the feeling of not wanting to
get involved really was not against the
person. It was my own insecurities about
what the favor was, like driving into unknown territory. I get feelings of panic sometimes when I have to
drive some where that I am unfamiliar. I know that is actually fear. We are not
suppose to be afraid. Honestly though it is the truth. There are others times I dodge helping someone
by not giving them money, why, because I
am thinking about my own budget. What is that called? Selfishness. Is anyone else relating?
I think I have a
touch of self-centeredness, I did not even know it. I am not sure I like
it. In fact I know I do not like it!
Can you
relate with me? What do we do
about it? Joyce says to overcome being self centered we are going to have to be
intentional in our giving. Actively thinking about the people we are around on
any given day. Listening and maybe even taking notes about the things they say
they need and see if we can help them.
This is not going to
be easy at first but nothing of any
value is. Let us be intentional in our giving.
Learning to give with a true giving heart!
Prayer:
Lord let us begin to
look at those who have a need as an
opportunity to give and give with truly giving heart, as Joyce said, Lord when
we give we are truly the most like you.
In Jesus Name, Amen
P.S. Please continue to pray for my husband. He still out of work. Thanks!
very good post that makes one think. Make me more like Jesus.
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