Sunday 4 November 2012

GIVING

The author of the following article is not known however i am posting it since it blessed me immensely!

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"How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people." – Psalm 116:12-14

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Years ago some people thought the crocodile was sacred. They worshipped him as one of their gods. Mothers used to throw their children to the crocodiles in the river. Why did they do that? They did it because they thought it would please this river god.

One day two missionaries walked along a certain river path. At the river's edge sat a mother staring at the dark water. In her arms the mother cradled a sickly baby girl. And nearby her healthy son laughed and played happily.

The missionaries looked sad. They guessed what the mother meant to do. She was planning to give one of her children to the crocodile god. The missionaries stopped and sat down to talk with her. They told her about Jesus.

"Don't give your dear children to the river god," begged the missionaries. "Trust in Jesus. He is the only Savior."

"All my life I have worshipped the river god," said the mother. "What you tell me is so new and strange. I just can't believe it."

After much persuasion, the missionaries sadly walked away.

A few days later they met the mother again. This time only one child was with her - the sick baby girl. The missionaries sighed. They knew what must have happened. The mother's healthy son had been given to the crocodiles.

"If you thought you had to give one of your children, why didn't you give the poor, sick baby?" asked the missionaries.

The mother's dark eyes flashed. She stood straight and tall. "We give our best to our gods," she proudly answered.

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I wonder - Do we give our best to our One and Only true God of heaven and earth?

Does God get our best and first fruits or does He get our leftovers? Or are the leftovers used to build bigger barns as well? Too often our social calendar, sporting events, or recreational activities get our first and best efforts and our faith and our church community get what's left over. Is that all God is worth? An hour a week and anything that is leftover? When we think of all that God gives us everyday with His Holy Spirit and the nourishment of His Son's Body and Blood how can we not be a little sheepish when we think of what we give in return.

This is not a call to join a committee or come to a meeting; this is not even a call to give more money in the collection. This is simply a question about lifestyle - does God come first or do we just rely on His forgiveness and trust that we can give Him what's leftover? Does God get our first efforts or our last? We are Stewards and Caretakers of everything that God has given us. Not just for our use or to hand down to our children but to give back to God and say thank you for all that we have been given. Our first gift should be back to God because He is the most important part of our life. May that be our prayer and heartfelt desire.

Luke 6:38 – “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”


Give n Be Blessed!

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