Just some thoughts on giving:
Before Roy & I moved to Lewiston we came to visit Pastor Mike
& Debbie, to see the housing area and visit the church. It was the
weekend of the Women's Christmas lunch. Watching over 100 women hug and catch
up with one another, I was overwhelmed and a bit intimidated by the love I saw
displayed. There was so much comradery and joy in just getting together.
I see the same thing in Africa. In Kenya, we work at the
WEEP (Women’s Empowerment Equality Project) centers in the Slums of
Kiberia and Gnong. This is a program designed to save the lives of widowed or
abandoned mothers suffering from advanced stages of AIDS sparing their children
from becoming orphans. The WEEP program commits to providing medical care,
nutrition, vitamins, rent assistance and access to ARV drugs; it also assures
that their children have school uniforms and other necessary resources to
attend school. Once physically stable, the mother is taught a trade to become
self-sufficient and break through the impoverished cycle.
We sat with the ladies and listened to each of their testimonies –
how they had been found dying of AIDS but now, because of the centers, able to function
independently side by side with God. We went to speak to them about
hope and encourage them in their race, but instead they touched our hearts with
increased faith. We walked out of each place a different person.
Our friend, Evelyn, knew this place of need. She had been
introduced to the WEEP center 2 years earlier. Now, free of the ravages of
AIDS, she is sharing her testimony and saving lives daily throughout the
Kiberia Slums. One such woman Evelyn took us to see was Esther. We
found her drifting on her couch; she had not consumed any food or drink in 2
days which left her de-hydrated and confused. She was 32 and weighed
in at 62 pounds. She had an 8 year old son with very
little time left in life. With the help of
a nutritionist and nurse she was given water with re-hydration salts
as well as a bit of rice. Within an hour she could speak a little
and began responding to questions. Sponsorship money had been donated to her
that day so while waiting on Doctors Without Borders to arrive and transport
her to the hospital, we processed her into the program. Esther passed away
a few months later; however her son has been well taken care of by relatives
and is finishing school. Sometimes they are just not found in time. This
experience propelled Roy and I to begin a project through Eden's Song called
the Esther Project to care for these people while they wait to be sponsored
into the WEEP center.
Paul says to the Macedonians in 2 Cor 8:2-7 “Although
they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give
generously. 3 They gave as much as they could afford and
even more, simply because they wanted to. 4 They even
asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God's
people. 5 And they did more than we had hoped. They gave
themselves first to the Lord and then to us, just as God wanted them to
do. 6 Titus was the one who got you started doing this
good thing, so we begged him to have you finish what you had begun. 7 You
do everything better than anyone else. You have stronger faith. You speak
better and know more. You are eager to give, and you love us
better. Now you must give more generously than anyone else.”
Giving is not always about money. Evelyn shares her knowledge of
God’s great goodness and love with the women in the slums; others give time, products,
services, knowledge or discipleship. Seek Him and His Kingdom first. Whatever
God has purposed your heart to do is what you move into.
“They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to
us”.
I remember my favorite Christmas was when I was 9 and my siblings
were 6, 4, and 2. Daddy was getting his PHD and working as an intern
at the hospital and mom was nursing at the same hospital.
We didn't have much money so again Christmas would be slim pickins.
Though I’m sure that we talked a lot about our hopes of receiving Barbie dolls
and train sets, we were pretty sure that wouldn’t happen.
That year my Dad had joined a ‘frozen meat’ club knowing that with
each order over a specific dollar amount he would get a ‘fake’ Barbie so over
the year he and my mom ordered twice. My mom was a beautiful knitter
so she made each of my brothers a sweater embroidered with trains. I
can’t imagine how long it must have taken her; she must have knitted late into
the evening while we were asleep. The toil it took on both my parents
continues to touch me. I still have a picture of us four kids proudly
holding our gifts and though I was many years older before I realized
the sacrifice, it has always been my favorite year because I knew how much
love went into creating that special day just for us!
The Lord has also sacrificed to create days soaked in mercy and
grace. His love for us is unfathomable.
Just as my parents put us first, so does our Heavenly Papa. God tells
Jeremiah in 29:11 “For I know
the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As the years go on
and our relationship matures in trust, we learn to stand with conviction on the
promises God has given us, salvation for those we are praying for even for the
house we've been dreaming of.
In Matthew 2:9-11 it says that “the wise men listened to what the
king (Herod) said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on
ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They
were thrilled and excited to see the star. When the men went into the
house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped
him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them
to him. (Gold prophetically stands for glory, wisdom and truth, Frankincense
was a valuable powder that was burned to make a sweet smell. Myrrh was a
valuable sweet-smelling powder often used in perfume.)
And then look at the gifts God has offered us; the gift of
salvation through His son Jesus Christ the Hope of Glory and the Holy Spirit
who imparts the spiritual gifts.
1 Cor 12 it says that “The Spirit has given each of us a special
way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can
speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others
the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick 1or
the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us
recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of
languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is
the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.”
Paul brings us a great example through the Macedonians who gave:
1. During affliction
2. In spite of great poverty
3. With great joy
4. Beyond their means 5. Freely.
Here’s the charge:
2 Cor 9:6-7 “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds
will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous
crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give”.
And don’t give reluctantly
or in response to pressure; “For God loves a person who gives
cheerfully.” Proverb 22:8
Here is the promise:
2 Cor 9:8-11 “And God will generously provide all you need. Then
you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with
others. (In the AMP it reads “8And God is able to make all grace
(every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so
that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be
self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished
in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].) 9 As the, “They share freely
and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered
forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the
farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase
your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (Why,
because if I know He will continue to provide out of my lack, then I have no
qualms about continuing to give.) 11 Yes, you will be enriched
in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to
those who need them, they will thank God.”
Here is the outcome:
2 Cor 9:12-15 “So two good things will result from this ministry
of giving—the needs of the believers will be met, and they will joyfully
express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry,
they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers
will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And
they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God
has given to you. 15Thank God for this gift too
wonderful for words!”
Giving isn't just monetary; we give of our love and God
will increase the love around us, we give of our spiritual gifts and we
will begin to see the manifestation of healing, prophetic declaration and
miracles. We can give food, time and hope.
I've seen great examples in my own life:
Our new friend Evelyn (& many like her) gave of herself
through and after her fight for life.
My parents sacrificed their own comfort time after time to see a
smile on a couple of kids faces.
The Wise Men gave out of their abundance.
God freely gave His one and only Son.
This is the season of giving and all of us have a gift to offer
whether it is a monetary gift, something home-made, spending time with someone
who is lonely, reading to a child or taking a moment to listen to our
spouse.
Uncommon Compassion.
Give Big of yourself.
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