You can read about two
meetings at the Ripley Salvation Army Home League in their
blog, here. The first week we took in photographs and
the following week Pamela spoke on treasure. The ladies spoke of things they had
collected as hobbies. Pamela shared with us that she had once had to give up a
treasured possession, she had found it hard but even so she did it believing this
was what the Lord was asking of her. At the end of the meeting I jokingly said
that I had a boomerang that was a treasured possession and I had tried to give
it away but it kept coming back, yes there was much groaning from the rest of
the people there, but do you know there is an element of truth in this because whenever
you bless someone by giving you are blessed right back
All
that we have is from God, there is nothing good that we have not received but
from Him. It seems to me that the more you give the more blessed you are, not because
God is rewarding you for good works, or that you are saved by good works, but
simply because you can’t help but feel blessed knowing that you have given something,
or done something, or prayed for someone in need. Why, because it is Christ’s
love that motivates us. This is totally different from the heresies of the
faith movement and the prosperity movement, who give a God wants you rich gospel
and it’s your fault if you’re not healthy, and wealthy, you don’t have enough
faith or you’ve sinned.
I
am talking about a genuine love for the Lord Jesus Christ that outworks in
thinking of others before self, and in blessing others we are blessed. Not with
wealth and possessions but with all the spiritual goodness that comes from God.
We give for other’s needs, and God gives in ways that we would never have
imagined for our own needs. But I can never give more than God has given me how do I
know? Because I cannot save anyone, I cannot redeem anyone, I cannot sanctify anyone,
I cannot give anyone real peace and joy, that comes only from God through the
Son. But I can point you to the one who can, the Lord Jesus Christ who died on
the cross at Calvary and took the punishment for our sins. In Him alone is real
peace, forgiveness, and joy. The world can’t give you these things but oh how
blessed we are when we receive them through Christ Jesus.
What
is your motive for giving? It makes you feel good, or you enjoy doing things
for others, or you want to make a difference? Everyone’s motives are different
but if we know the Lord Jesus Christ then all that we do should be as though it
were done to Him.
Matthew 25: 34 Then the King will say to those on His
right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world:
41 “Then He will also say to those on
the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared
for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no
food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in,
naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or
thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to
You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did
not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into
everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
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