A HEART TO GIVE

Would you eat lunch at McDonalds but go across the street and pay at Kentucky Fried Chicken? No of course not. But that is what many folks do when it comes to giving. You like what a certain ministry does for instance but never bother supporting them. You are being 'fed' but you are not feeding them so to speak. Maybe during this Christmas season is a good time to take stock of that.

This time of year it seems everyone is in a giving mode. Charities abound to collect toys, canned goods, meals, and just plain ordinary cash to help those less fortunate. The Angel Tree ministry supports children of those incarcerated in prison so their children can try to have a nice Christmas. But you see the point is to give with a heart that wants to give. Many ministries take money in honor of or in memory of someone as well which is an awesome way to 'sow a seed' and remember a loved one in the process. I think of Mercy Flight or Angel Flight which some dear friends of mine had to use when their son was being flown for chemo treatments in Houston. Then there is Make A Wish Foundation as well. There are many worthy causes to give to. USO takes care of the soldiers and once someone actually gave me a card and an ornament at Christmas and said a donation had been made in my honor to the USO since I was a veteran and military family member. This made me cry. Donate Bibles in someones' name to Gideons. These are just some ideas.

There are those who may give only to get tax write off but the Bible says God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This verse  says to not give under compulsion or perhaps meaning not out of a guilty spirit. When you do give you are not supposed to go announce it to everyone and prove how wonderful you are.  Matthew 6:2 says "so when you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets".

Deuteronomy 15:10 says "Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Proverbs 11:25 says "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed". You help others and you will be helped someday when you have a need. The law of reaping what you sow.

 Luke 6:38 says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  We should not just give a tithe to church because we have to but because  we want to!! Churches are often criticized for always asking for money. Perhaps they would not if people were cheerful givers and did what scriptures told them to do.

 Proverbs 3:9-10 says "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Also in Proverbs 11:24 it says "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."So you hang on to your stuff and what blessing is that?

So where is your heart this Christmas season? Are you ready to be a giver all year round?

PRAYER: Lord I want to share and bless others because you have blessed me. Help me to not hang on to my wallet so tight that I am not able to share. Give me a heart to give. In Jesus name. Amen!