1 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
“Devastation of Biblical Proportions”, some are calling the earthquake in Haiti. As we watch the footage and stare at the pictures –we are confronted head on with the contrast of our country verses theirs.
Their suffering and desperate need for aide brings tears of compassion and response that begs: donations, time, prayers, and service in as many ways as possible. We watch the events from a far and experience mercy, compassion, and sadness.
Often, as the needs are described, we scramble for resources to give, emptying out our pockets for any way to help. We are all (every person that has ever lived) image bearers of God. When, one part of us suffers, we all suffer. There is a God-given urge in our hearts to respond. But–almost as quickly as we are motivated to respond cheerfully fueled by compassion– there is often a desire to give– out of guilt.
You know what I am talking about. Guilt hits us and motivates us rather than cheerful and sacrificial giving. Or, maybe you aren’t aware. Let’s dig a little deeper to see maybe– a distinction.
Yesterday, I spoke with my children about the specific needs that the people in Haiti have. We desire to shepherd their hearts as we filter what information they get at these young ages. It is a beautiful opportunity to help them see the goodness of God, even in suffering. Anyway, our oldest, while biting down on a cheeseburger said, “I feel bad for eating this cheeseburger.” There, you see!! I didn’t teach my son to respond that way. Part of his experience with seeing need– is a “bad” feeling when you realize you are the recipient of blessing- from a cheeseburger to any other provision. Why is it so common to have a feeling of guilt for having good things, from a good God?
I told him that he need not feel bad for what he has, but instead feel grateful for every little thing, and see the giver as God. He doesn’t need to feel guilt and from that place hand over his cheeseburger. He can both feel gratitude for God’s blessings and respond in compassionate joy to give to others in need. To share with people, with a heart to serve- excited to give as a worshipful response.
Guilt sometimes is a mask for loving compassion. We do penance instead of giving with overflowing gratitude. Humble gratitude is replaced with “bad” feelings. When we feel guilt instead of gratitude, we can pray. We can pray that God would increase our worship. Our worship opportunity here– is to see God as our Father– A good dad who gives good things to His kids. He wants us to be thankful and share. Not compelled by comparison of resources, but out of an overflow of generosity. He wants us to share generously because HE is Generous. He delights is us, as He gives. Prayerfully, we can extend that love to others.
“The beauty of the gospel is that God supplies the grace to achieve in us the very thing that He loves. God provides grace to us that we might give cheerfully, feeling His pleasure.” – James Harvey
Seeing need and seeing plenty are both opportunities for us to see God in them. Not to just compare blessings and abundance with poverty and need. We should be responding with generosity and gratitude, NOT guilt driven religious penance.
James Harvey has this article that speaks to cheerful giving…good stuff!
The footage and photos were taken just a few days after the earthquake as Pastor Mark (Mars Hill Church) and James MacDonald were able to go to help. We have a better idea now as to what is needed. The needs are beyond our comprehension.
Please REPOST this, copy it, play it at your church, etc. Please give generously, as the name of Jesus can be revealed by our love.
What “season” are you in?
As a young girl, I wanted to be an adult. When I was single I wanted to be married. When my kids were babies, I wanted them to be preschoolers… As each season changed, my ambitious heart would often covet the next season. Even in my current season, I am tempted to grumble in it, and look forward to a future time in the life of our family.
Each season that I am given is an opportunity for worship. Yet, deep under the sporatic complaints and restless discontentment for my season, lies a dissatisfied heart with what God has given me.
As God calls me to my season, He is calling me to steward His grace in it.
1 Peter 4: 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards, of God’s varied grace.
Ephesians 3:2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you.
Stewardship of God’s grace is more expansive than the stewardship of money. Christians have experienced miraculous grace and are called to be the agent of grace in many ways. We are called to manage God’s stuff (which is everything) and furthermore represent His grace.
Paul (the author of the above verses) was called and equipped by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit which was a season that lasted from conversion until his death. God calls all of us to a particular season and the purpose of it is worship.
My calling shapes my season today. Serving Jesus by serving my family is my daily stewardship of God’s grace. My season is packed with overwhelming dependence on the Holy Spirit to keep my family and home running. More than checking things off a list, I am called to steward the love and grace of God.
Managing God’s grace in my season calls me to humble service without grumbling. Being led moment by moment by God replaces going through the motions of my day. As God lovingly directs my work; I am more gracious and flexible with my duties. As four children experience their mother, they are seeing glimpses of God’s grace for them. The gift and weight of this calling is intense and beautiful. And it is His grace that allows me to extend it to others. I am truly grateful that I am in this season. I long to steward it with repentance and continual and contagious worship.
What is your season? How can you more faithfully steward God’s grace in it?
This month marks TWO YEARS of blogging. What a journey! As God has pursued me to share my repentance and redemption “in the light”, my heart is full of joy as I remember why I started blogging and why I continue.
Why I started: I came to a place in my heart where idolatrous desires were exposed. Confessing my pride and selfish ambition in my work; I began repenting and turning from empty labor to desiring Worshiping Jesus in my work. Work has slowly become more worshipful. My independent nature is slowly being replaced with dependence on my King. Blogging has spotlighted these changes and been about pointing myself and others to Jesus, who is the only savior to replace idols with True Worship. Blogging has been an outlet for me share what God is teaching me about both work and worship. I enjoy writing and want to grow as a writer, so it has been great practice!
Why I keep going: I love learning and teaching. God has humbled me in many “heart” places along the way and I am confident in His future grace to continue in His steadfast love. Jesus has saved me from my sin and is continuing to save me from my sin. His cross is my only hope. I can’t help but share how GREAT Jesus is and how He has changed my heart. I keep writing to sharpen my skill and strengthen content.
What I need from you: Most of the time, I don’t hear from my readers. But, I know that there are many of you! If you read this, could you let me know in email or comments? I am curious who reads, how long you’ve read, and what you have learned. Also, as I move forward on other writing projects, I need women to interview. I need lots of volunteers to fill out surveys and in person interviews. I will be asking lots of questions about work, sin, strengths, weaknesses, worship, maturity, immaturity, etc. I would love to hear what God is teaching you in your current struggle and how Jesus is pursuing your heart.
I am grateful to Jesus for showing me my idols and giving me grace along the way. God has taken me on a journey. Thanks for letting me pause to reflect… now on to more work…
Busy Body. That word is power packed with negative emotions and disgust, right? This “town gossip lady” image in my head is not the “busy at home lady”, but instead is the lady that chooses to be in other people’s business. I certainly never thought I was idle, lazy, or pointlessly or wandering about my day, looking for some one or something– to scratch an itch–in my heart….
When is the last time you found yourself going around from house to house being idle? Or, perhaps calling too many friends in one day? Concerned or thinking about other people more than what you are called by God specifically to be mindful of?
I haven’t identified much with this particular sin until– I realized that the Internet is my “town” to meander. I have found myself “going from “house to house” rather “website to website” seeking something: information, research, book reviews, blogs, facebook, or email all potentially sucking in my time and seducing my attention.
1 Timothy 5: 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
To ignore this comparison is for me– choosing blindness. I have been blind to the fact that I am tempted to ignore greater blessings that God has called me to. Sin is giving in to the temptation to busy body with my eyes and heart focused on worthless and sometimes meaningless information that swirls around in my head taking up the mental space that should be occupied by meaningful thoughts and purpose.
Repentance is not always the opposite behavior. It doesn’t mean social networking is bad and email, internet, and helpful websites are now of the devil. As much as legalism lures me; I believe that repentance isn’t rule making here, but instead it is being tender to the Holy Spirit, moment by moment, day by day with my time and attention. There is remarkable joy and satisfaction in this discipline, as I depend on Jesus’ strength to walk with the submission to God enabled by the Holy Spirit in this area.
Practically, it means that I set thoughtful boundaries on time spent on websites. I choose appropriate times to give attention to it. It needs to be at times that relationships aren’t ignored or neglected. Stewarding my time, means seeing internet time as a resource to be used with wisdom –as worship.
Internet Busy Bodying is really just another form of laziness and escapism, not worship. Worship is living our lives in such a way that honors and glorifies God.
By God’s grace, my slices of time for Internet will be stewarded more wisely.
Busy Body. That word is power packed with negative emotions and disgust, right? This “town gossip lady” image in my head is not the “busy at home lady”, but instead is the lady that chooses to be in other people’s business. I certainly never thought I was idle, lazy, or pointlessly or wandering about my day, looking for some one or something– to scratch an itch–in my heart….