I John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
As I write this, I am sitting at my computer desk in my comfortable, air-conditioned home. In my driveway sits a comfortable, air-conditioned car. My pantry is filled with more food than my family needs; in fact, some of it may spoil before we eat it. I have a network of family and friends who would do all in their power to see that my family and I were clothed and fed, if some tragedy should render us homeless or penniless. I am blessed beyond measure.
Yet, there are people all around us who have real need. As I read the above verses, I must ask myself: Am I doing enough? Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not. But one thing is certain: I am blessed, and I must look for ways to bless others. Whether the people around me need money, food, clothing, or simply my time, I must be willing to share what I have.
Oh, I don’t think we intend to be self-centered or greedy. We just get so caught up in our own lives, our own stresses and wants and needs and desires, we forget to notice. We forget to share. But when we forget to bless others, we are the ones who miss the biggest blessing. For we should always remember the words of our Lord, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35.
Dear Father, Please help me to see the people around me through Your eyes. Help me to identify needs, and to meet those needs with the generosity and sacrifice that You have shown to me.
Amen
Hi Renae! I’ve been reading even though I haven’t commented, so I picked this post to tell you so. As usual, each one has made me think and take stock, and that is a really good thing for me.
Someone I know was recently sharing how his family makes larger purchase decisions. They decide yes or no based on how making that purchase will affect their generosity to others. I never thought of it that way before. And this post is a great reinforcement of the same idea. Thank you so much!
Thanks, Jeanette! What a great way to guard your money! If the expense will bless others and allow generosity, then it is a worthy expense . . . Thank you for sharing that!