OUR PART TO DO
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.” Deuteronomy 15:11, NLT
Theme: If we refuse to share generously, we can’t claim to take the Bible seriously.
SHARE, NOT SOLVE
There will always be poverty, hunger, and sickness in this world. People in need are close to me and far away from me, across the world. When I was a child, pictures of the famine in Ethiopia were on the TV every night, in news reports, ads for Compassion International or other aid societies, and on talk shows. As a child, I remember being overwhelmed by the pain and death, and the scope of the disaster.
Don’t you just hate directives? I read the verse for today and I am struck by the words, “I am commanding you.” We tend to bow up and push back against anyone telling us what to do, especially about OUR money or stuff. But the very next words--“to share freely”--calm my spirit. I love this Scripture because it takes some of the pressure and angst off of me.
Though we will never be able to solve the problems of hunger, poverty, displaced people, drought, or famine, we can share. We have a part to play by doing what we can with what we have been given. It is not MY stuff or OUR stuff. It has been entrusted to us by God. He has blessed us to bless others. He wants us to become pipelines, a conduit to share His wealth with the world.
FIRST STEPS
In Acts, chapter two, the early church began to meet. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, which overflowed into acts of love, unity, and extreme generosity. So, we might think that learning to tithe is a first step, but I think that falling in love with Jesus and being filled to overflowing with His Spirit comes first. Once we sense His great love and provision for us, we want to obey, we want to please, and we want to share all that we have: the Good News, our time, and our resources.
A practical step is to set aside the tithe. Once you find that God is faithful to provide and that He honors our faithfulness, it becomes increasingly easier to share with others. God will nudge us to help a struggling family or point us towards a ministry that needs support. He might use us to accomplish a special project in our church, above and beyond our weekly giving. It may be a single parent at our workplace, needing an anonymous gift to pay for utilities. Each time God prompts us to act, He does not call us to solve the problem; He calls us to share what we have.
Make It Personal: Can you remember a time when you were anxious to help a friend and would have done anything in your power to assist them, even to giving them “the shirt off your back?” When we love someone deeply, it is easy to give. Now, recall your love for Jesus and the gratitude you feel for His great gift and everyday care for you. Transfer that willingness to give back to Him to His children, His church, and His ministries in the world. You will find generosity comes more easily and blesses you immensely.
Pray: Lord, I accept Your command to give and share generously of what You have given me. Thank You that I’m not asked to solve the world’s problems. I am honored to have a part, but relieved that You have a plan. You are asking all Your children to help care for these tender ones. I pray for an overflowing of the Spirit of God, resulting in unity and generosity in Your Church, and I pray that it meets needs here in my community and country, and across the world. I want to be a part of sharing Your love and Your provision to others. I thank You again for all that You have given me and my family. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-13, 8:8-9
Weekly Memory Verse: “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b, NLT