Giving generously of your wealth. It’s talked about often in the bible; by Jesus and Paul, in the Old Testament and in the New. But so often we assume that the giving is simply referring to our financial wealth. Perhaps that’s because money and physical riches have become so important in our consumer driven society.
But in many ways, giving money is one of the easiest ways of giving. Politicians are constantly throwing money at problems, because it gives the appearance of something happening. But what if giving of our financial wealth isn’t really what Jesus was talking about? What if he meant for us to give generously of our truth wealth; our time, our hearts, our talents? I know for myself, that becomes a much bigger hill to climb.
It never feels as if there are enough hours in the day, days in the week or weeks in the year. It’s hard to think about sacrificing the precious few minutes of peace I have. It’s hard to think about giving more of myself than I already give to my family and friends. But I think that is really what God is calling us to do. Or what he is calling me to do. Because giving generously is personal. It’s about you finding the gift that God has given you that is hardest for you to share. Maybe for you it is money. Maybe it’s your time. Maybe it’s your talent. I think this is partly what Jesus meant when he said “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Luke 9:24 And I’m pretty sure that when Jesus is speaks of taking care of the poor, he isn’t just referring to those who are poor of wallet, but those who are poor of heart, and mind and spirit.
Where is God calling you to give generously in your life? Who are the poor he is calling on you to take care of ?
God bless,
Meredith
finchmeredith1 