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GREED AND GIVING
Rather than elaborate on greed when I know we all know
what it means, I am inserting the Parable about the offering
the widow made at the Temple:
Luke 21: 1-4 - kjv - "What is the real
significance of the offering the widow made at the Temple?
As most people were making their offering from the abundance
that they had been blessed with, here came a widow with no
wealth, no possessions, getting by day to day. Yet, Jesus
took the time to point out that her offering was greater than
the others because she was giving out of her need. How could
that be? You see my friend, it was not the greatest offering
in the amount that she gave, but it was the greatest offering
because of the heart that she gave it with."
The widow at the temple in today's scripture put in a mite,
which is the equivalent of $2.00 in US dollars.
The widow gave because she not only had faith that God would
meet her daily needs, but just as important, she gave out
of obedience and an understanding of how God works.
You don't "give to get."
You give as an act of obedience.
You give as a form of worship.
You give to bless others,
and because you give with a pure heart,
God in turn blesses you. Never forget that His blessings
come in many forms. Not just in money, but in things like
health, safety, daily provision, and many blessings that we
simply take for granted.
The amount that you give is not important...
It is being obedient to give what God tells
you to give.
It is the heart and motivations that you give it with.
When you give sacrificially,
you are saying to God that you trust Him to provide for your
needs as He has promised to, and that you are more concerned
for others than yourself. Nothing touches the heart of God
more than giving of yourself to others, much as He gave His
own Son for the sins of this world. God understands sacrificial
giving!!
Never forget this. ALL, 100% of what we have belongs to God
and is simply on loan to us. So whatever you give, you are
simply giving back a portion of what He has entrusted to you
for this season. That is why you can't outgive God, IT IS
HIS ALREADY!
Never let giving be something that you
dread doing.
Don't ever let anyone force you to give what you don't want
to.
WHAT YOU GIVE IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS! It is between you and
God.
Just like the widow, give as God leads you to give,
give the amount He tells you to give,
and give it cheerfully. Giving is an act of worship.
When we give out of our need as the widow did at the temple,
GOD WILL HONOR YOU FOR THAT!
Copied from Bill Keller with permission
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