Still going through 2 Timothy while the season of giving is upon me, Paul so admonishes Timothy and his congregation to follow their calling...our "entrustment" ( my word) :)
All of the spiritual gifts are extraordinary. And I love to hear about how people are blessed by using their gifts to the advance of the gospel...I just know by experience that giving is more than a delight to my heart...I woke up this am picturing God smiling, laughing with the joy of the universe to hear, watching and being a part of every person's use of their giving of themselves, his resources...
-It was like watching all the "Hallmark movies"
-all of the Angels singing the hallelujahs
-the child seeing for the first time
-a plane landing, carrying people, supplies to much needed countries
-a language group hearing the Word spoken in their mother tongue
-a goat or flock of chickens given to a family to earn a living
-a gear/yurt given to a family in need
-a Bible given to a serviceman fighting for our country
-food given to the homeless on the street or in a shelter
-a shoebox given to a "forgotten" child
-a medical clinic built for the "poor" in the middle of "nowhere"
-iPads for itinerant pastors hundreds of miles from a school
-new limbs given to people in war torn countries
-a scholarship to school
-abused or enslaved people receiving help
-a flower bouquet for the room of a dying patient
-water gushing from a new well
-support to support others
-seeing a child smile or giggle for the first time...
-a speech pathologist in a needy area on another continent far from the comforts of "home"
-simple children's books sent to a school whose library is a tree with benches
-cooking supplies and food to a renovated kitchen serving the homeless or natural disaster victims
-building materials to families after a flood or fire or....
-a motorcycle to a pastor who serves families miles apart...or is taking the gospel to new villages
-backpacks filled with school supplies
-toys to prisoners' children
-lap robes and socks to the elderly
-$ in a red bucket
-a sewing machine to a young woman to earn a living
-shoveling snow over and over again for the housebound
-housing for those who have lost their homes
-water to the thirsty
-etc.
-etc.
-etc.
-fill in the infinite list....
All in Jesus' precious name...
All is Gods and we are just tools to give it out...He is giving us the joy of giving out His resources...but I can still picture His joy watching, encouraging us to give of ourselves and the resources He gives freely...
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7-9 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
This is not about "me" or "you", it is about giving to those whom God has laid on our hearts...it is about giving Joy back to our loving God who gives all things...
Thank YOU for the opportunity....
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