I don’t have much. Last night as I lay in bed, I talked with Jesus and thanked him for the blessings He has given me. At that moment, God reminded me about the donation I made to a church for world hunger. It gave me such a sense of happiness that I had released a small blessing for the first time to a starving child.
Then God spoke to me. “Will you give when you have much?”
My eyes flew open as I thought about the other times in my life when I had the opportunity to give but did not. In those days, I thought about it but didn’t do it. Now, in a major transition in my life, my funds don’t look the way they did when I had a career. Still, I was able to give freely to this ministry with gratefulness.
What was the missing ingredient? For me it was easier to give when I had little. Maybe I had to lose everything to gain more in my life. Jesus reminds us that greed makes it difficult for us to let go. His example of how it was easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a wealthy man to enter heaven taught that wealth is not bad. Allowing greed, however, can cause devastation.
That was the missing ingredient. It was hard for me to let go and obey the Holy Spirit when prompted, but when financial tribulation hit, I was able to humble myself and learn from God. I was able to unload my camel to enter through the eye of the needle into God’s kingdom and receive what He had for me on the other side.
So the question arises, “Will I give when I have much?” My answer is “Yes, Lord.” God has given me an opportunity to learn who I am and, more importantly, who He is. He has taken that bondage of greed and guilt away and replaced it with peace and willingness to give and help others
Is this your opportunity to help others? Don’t miss the main ingredient God has put in your life.
(Photo courtesy of office.microsoft.com.)
(For more devotions, visit www.christiandevotions.us.)
The Lord allows situations in our lives so that we may learn to trust Him. He said that our sufficiency is not in ourselves, but in Him. As we walk in obedience in giving, we exercise out faith that He is a sustainer and that he will supply all of our needs. Gwen R.
An excellent illustration you used here! It makes the passage very relatable. Good job!
Love this word
Thank you April for using your gift of writing to be be a blessing to others.Encouraging & inspiring all who continue to seek Christ's unconditional love for mankind.