Hey everybody, I just realized that I forgot to put the name of my Facebook page on my last blog post, and I wanted to say that I am so sorry about that! My Facebook page is Elizabeth Jones, and it should say in the description that I am the blogger of In the Spirit of Giving. All you have to do is like my page, and you are automatically entered into this contest. Like I said, so sorry about that. It won't happen again. Love you guys!
May God Bless,
Give, Love, Serve
Monday, July 23, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
A Cheerful Giver
2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Often we give, not because we can or because we want to, but because we feel like we have to. However, as the verse above states, that isn't the right attitude to have when giving. God wants us to give even when we don't have to. After all, Jesus Christ Himself gave His life for us, even though He could have sent a thousand angels in His place.
So how should we give? Should we give money to charities? Should we donate clothes to our local homeless shelter? Is that the only way we can give? Yes, these are good ways to give, but no, they are not the only ways. A cheerful giver is willing to fill in whenever needed. They are willing to give an encouraging word when they feel led to. They are willing to help others even when they don't have to. They constantly have a smile on their face for someone else.
We like to make ourselves feel better because we donate things to other people, and, like I said before, yes, these are good ways to give, but we need to give more. I know that sometimes it feels like the world is weighing you down, and that you can't give a smile to that homeless person walking down the street. Or you can't give an encouraging word to the woman with cancer because you had a bad day. But when we see it this way, how selfish of us it that?
Once again, let me go back to the cross. Jesus Christ, the God of the Universe, suffered a painful and horrific death. Yet, while on the cross, this is what He said:
Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.
"Father, forgive them." Even though He was bleeding out, nails piercing his hands and thorns poking his head, He offered forgiveness for the very people that crucified Him. How much more should we be willing to give a smile or a word to somebody that needs it? If we truly are the body of Christ, then how much more should we willingly give whenever and wherever we can?
I hope this may open your eyes as to how much we can truly offer in our everyday lives. I know it has opened mine.
Also, to celebrate the gift of giving, I have decided to give away a copy of Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer. She is a really great author, and I thought you might enjoy a copy. All you have to do is like my Facebook page, and you're automatically entered into the drawing.
May God Bless,
Give, Love, Serve
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Often we give, not because we can or because we want to, but because we feel like we have to. However, as the verse above states, that isn't the right attitude to have when giving. God wants us to give even when we don't have to. After all, Jesus Christ Himself gave His life for us, even though He could have sent a thousand angels in His place.
So how should we give? Should we give money to charities? Should we donate clothes to our local homeless shelter? Is that the only way we can give? Yes, these are good ways to give, but no, they are not the only ways. A cheerful giver is willing to fill in whenever needed. They are willing to give an encouraging word when they feel led to. They are willing to help others even when they don't have to. They constantly have a smile on their face for someone else.
We like to make ourselves feel better because we donate things to other people, and, like I said before, yes, these are good ways to give, but we need to give more. I know that sometimes it feels like the world is weighing you down, and that you can't give a smile to that homeless person walking down the street. Or you can't give an encouraging word to the woman with cancer because you had a bad day. But when we see it this way, how selfish of us it that?
Once again, let me go back to the cross. Jesus Christ, the God of the Universe, suffered a painful and horrific death. Yet, while on the cross, this is what He said:
Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.
"Father, forgive them." Even though He was bleeding out, nails piercing his hands and thorns poking his head, He offered forgiveness for the very people that crucified Him. How much more should we be willing to give a smile or a word to somebody that needs it? If we truly are the body of Christ, then how much more should we willingly give whenever and wherever we can?
I hope this may open your eyes as to how much we can truly offer in our everyday lives. I know it has opened mine.
Also, to celebrate the gift of giving, I have decided to give away a copy of Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer. She is a really great author, and I thought you might enjoy a copy. All you have to do is like my Facebook page, and you're automatically entered into the drawing.
May God Bless,
Give, Love, Serve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)