This
post is brought to you by the book 'Bad Girls of the Bible' by Liz Curtis
Higgs. Specifically the chapter on being generous for the right reason. It
refers to the story in Acts 5. Basically its talking about being generous, but
doing it to get the respect or acknowledgement of others.
I
will say it does not flow... its random thoughts in random order so bare with
me :)
I
will be the first to say that I am awful at tithing. I never seam to have cash
on me, because we just use our debt card. I am that person that looks around
thinking "gosh I hope no one notices the fact that I have just passed the
plate the last 5 weeks". When I do remember to bring money though I
never feel that I care if people notice.
In
the story it’s basically about how Ananias said he was telling people he gave
more than he did. The sin is not keeping some for him self the sin was him not
relying on God to provide, he held some of the money back "just in
case" and he lied about it. He died on the spot after lying. "What
made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God"
Acts 5:4
I
get it but I'm a cheap skate and I always like to have money "just in
case" and trusting that the lord will provide is not hard UNLESS it has to
do with finances (for me anyway). What if the tier blows and we have no
savings? What if... I know God is there and provides, but HOW, how in the world
can anything be done IN THE MOMENT right then and there.... well hum in the
world (this world) that God created... wow I feel little
When I do good I feel good and I like to share about it... dose that make the
good doing not so good any more? kind of, if I’m doing good just to share with
others what I have done and not WHY I have done it... what good am I really
doing?
"Pride and generosity don't mix" some times when giving we
expect something in return... I can honestly say that I don’t always expect
something because I do get the point of giving. I don’t always need my name on
what I have done... sometimes though its nice but I need to learn I don’t even
need it sometimes. giving is fun if done with a giving heart and not a
glorified one
"Learn to
give when nobody's looking" I can do that and have I just need to do it
more and not concern myself with what others are thinking about me and how my
walk is effecting the choices I make when giving to others. My biggest issue is
sometimes I don’t have anything to give, or at least that’s how I feel. But I
have so much compared to some... I have a house and a loving family... giving
does not need to be material items... I can ALWAYS give time... even with a
family full of small needy children.
I guess I need to remind my self that even
if I don’t have the money to give I have my time, my gifts and talents that the
Lord has given me to share with others in his name. I also need to NOT ignore
the feeling of needing to help others and just do it, and know that God will
provide.
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