Our family has been showered with so much love this past week. People seemed to have come from every corner to see if we needed anything. There was so much food here at one point that I feared it would go to waste. But by the end of this past weekend it was all gone. Friends, family, churches, coworkers and people we did not even know were there to lend a helping hand and to show us the love of God.
The love is still rolling in this week. I have received cards with gifts. Folks have stopped by with gifts and food. A friend came by today with lunch. We just sat on the porch and talked and enjoyed the beautiful day. I think as sad as the past week has been it still gives me a feeling of how I think the fellowship in heaven will be, and I kind of think it is how God wants us to treat our brothers and sisters.
There have been so many wonderful people that have been generous with their money, their time and their talents. (I had some of the best biscuits I have ever tasted over the weekend! Who knew that was a talent?) The passage in 1 Timothy 6:18-19 tells us that “even those that are considered rich should also be rich in good works, sharing readily and doing good for those that are in need. “ I have seen that first hand over the past few days.
Those same verses tell us that it is better to aim to have a sound foundation and treasures that are stored up in heaven. I can tell you, I have seen a lot of treasure storing done that will reap eternal benefits.
I think the challenge these two verses pose for followers of Christ might be to determining if you are wealthy or not. By comparison to a great percentage of the world, most Americans are considered wealthy; while most Americans might consider themselves to just be getting by. With that being said, it might be more of a challenge to determine where the wealth that you do have is located. Is your wealth built up around you (material) or is it being stacked in your storeroom in heaven (eternal?) And do you know what? I believe it can be a little of both!
This passage in 1 Timothy could really be applied to our lives in multiple ways. For those that are wealthy by worldly standards, with money, they could contribute financially to help out and with lending a hand. For those that may not have money to spare but have time or spiritual knowledge, they might volunteer for a project through a church or mission. It might be discipling a new believer. Then again, it might be a phone call or a card to a shut in, or helping someone with manual labor. We all have something to give even if it is a smile to a stranger.
What does this passage mean to my faith? I have experienced this from both ends. I have been blessed enough to be able to both give financially, and to work and pour into others spiritually. Then again, I have been blessed by others financially when I needed it, and many special people have poured into me spiritually. My faith has been strengthened over the past few years not so much by helping others financially as by being able to pour into others spiritually. My former pastor always said “You can’t out give God.” Give what you have to help others and it will come back to you in blessings.
Thank You Lord that You give us all the opportunity to be a blessing to others. Thank You for the love and blessings I have felt over the past week. Show me where I can be a blessing today.
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“18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Psalm 37:3 (KJV)
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (KJV)
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 (KJV)
“So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21 (KJV)
“He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.” Psalm 112:9 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about Him.
Do you know the God of grace? He created a perfect world. He loved His creation. Then, through the disobedience of man, God’s created beings, sin came into that perfect world. God, as the Creator, was the only One that could redeem His creation. Over two thousand years ago, a season in time came to be when Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, God in the flesh, was born as a tiny babe. (Christianity.com has a very good article about how Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies of the much looked for Messiah. Of course the better place to read this is in the Bible itself.) He lived a sinless life. At the age of about thirty, He began His earthly ministry. Jesus was abandoned by His followers, tortured and crucified to death. This He did deliberately, giving up His life freely. He was buried in a borrowed tomb that was heavily guarded by Roman soldiers. Then, as He had promised His followers, He arose from that grave on the third day. “Why,” you ask, “would He do this, go through this?” Ah, the reason… Love…Grace. He did it for you, His beloved creation! He did it for me also, of which I am eternally thankful. The thing is, He gave His life as redemption for the sin of the whole world. This same Jesus will come into your life. God is Spirit. You come to Him in spirit. Confess to Him that you realize you are a sinner. Tell Him that you believe that Jesus is His Son-His only Son, that He came to this earth to redeem you. Tell Him that you will turn away from a sinful life and follow the teachings of Jesus. Then find a local, Bible-believing church and become involved with the fellowship of the Church.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Blog Image by 박유정 Alex park from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 