Giving
I was in a Bible study many years ago when a person said that only the wealthy were supposed to give. At that time, Derik and I were struggling. We were frugal, but we still had to make really tough choices. We lived paycheck to paycheck. I only bought groceries with coupons. We had very limited cell plans and basic cable. Our budget was tight, and we did not spend any money on extras. I'm embarrassed to say we even had to borrow money from our parents as we were climbing our way out of debt. So, I didn't count myself among the wealthy. However, there were people far worse off than we were. Derik has encountered some of the poorest people in the world during his time abroad in the military. I have taught children who were homeless and didn't have access to warm clothing and electricity. It didn't matter how much we were struggling, compared to some, we were well-off.
Growing up, I thought my family was poor. My mom bought groceries with coupons. We took a wagon to the grocery store (because we only had one car). My closet was filled with my cousins' hand-me-downs and boys jeans with lace sewn on to disguise their origin. My dad would tell me that all those people who lived like they were rich were swimming in debt. I didn't really care. I was young and had no idea what he was talking about. I just wanted cool shoes like the rest of my classmates. But when I hit middle school, I learned that my dad would write checks for his workers' mortgages so their houses wouldn't be foreclosed. He would give people rides to work when they didn't have a car. My parents may have been tight at home, but they gave generously to those in need. I didn't get the shoes I wanted, but other people got to keep their homes, feed their children, and keep their jobs. My parents were wise with their money because they said it wasn't theirs. As a child, I wasn't impressed. As an adult, I am inspired.
The Bible says:
Growing up, I thought my family was poor. My mom bought groceries with coupons. We took a wagon to the grocery store (because we only had one car). My closet was filled with my cousins' hand-me-downs and boys jeans with lace sewn on to disguise their origin. My dad would tell me that all those people who lived like they were rich were swimming in debt. I didn't really care. I was young and had no idea what he was talking about. I just wanted cool shoes like the rest of my classmates. But when I hit middle school, I learned that my dad would write checks for his workers' mortgages so their houses wouldn't be foreclosed. He would give people rides to work when they didn't have a car. My parents may have been tight at home, but they gave generously to those in need. I didn't get the shoes I wanted, but other people got to keep their homes, feed their children, and keep their jobs. My parents were wise with their money because they said it wasn't theirs. As a child, I wasn't impressed. As an adult, I am inspired.
There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more;
And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty
The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,
And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty
The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,
And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
Proverbs 11:24-25 (Amplified Version)
As Christians we should give generously, quietly, and often. If we have to choose between putting money towards our personal desires and quietly taking care of those in need, choose those in need. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that only the wealthy are to give. All money belongs to God. It is by His grace that some falls to us. We are to use God's money in a way that honors and pleases Him. Make quiet generosity a family habit. After all, we are to reflect the character of Christ, not only with our words, but also with our actions.
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