From the Heart
Good Morning Friends,
Happy Valentine’s Day. May all your giving creativity blend with a culture of healing that comes From the Heart.
Scripture: All shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.
Deuteronomy 16:17 (NRSV)
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 (NRSV)
Message: Like many others I am involved with a not-for profit organization that survives because people give to our mission. In this capacity I have had to learn not to judge people on how much they give but to rejoice that they gave at all. When I discovered that it is God working in their lives that determines their generosity more than me, I rejoice. For most of us, giving really does not cost us as much as we would like those people who receive our gifts to believe. Really when we look at what is left behind we might be a little embarrassed by how little practice we have of giving from the heart. When we discover that our motive and mode of giving matters to God, we might also learn that developing a pattern for giving can help us to discover just how much God really wants us to give. Friends, God observes the way we give in worship, prayer, praise, gifts and offerings. God looks at each one of us, not only in what we give but in how we give and why we give. God does so want to participate with us in our giving. That is why He nudges us from self to His presence. When we join with God manifested in community He becomes magnified in our hearts.
Pray we be thankful as we learn that giving is evidence of God’s providence in our lives. Pray we rejoice as we learn that giving is an implementation of God’s will in our lives as He expands His kingdom and blesses our lives and the lives of others. Pray that we learn that our giving is an evidence of good stewardship as we count the costs and weigh just how little we really need for ourselves. Pray we realize that generosity is measured not by what others give but by what we are capable and willing to give. Pray therefore that we encourage each other to use the abilities and resources God has given us. Pray that we learn to generously serve Christ by serving others. Pray we learn what really impresses God. Pray we become instruments of accomplishing great things. Pray we discover the faith in giving. Pray we discover the grace in giving. Pray we take giving seriously but also with a cheerful heart.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 