Don't Forget
Have you ever forgotten something you desperately needed to remember? So many times we create problems and heartache for ourselves and others because we forget certain things we should have remembered.
Paul the apostle, often reminded believers of key life principles and practices. Realizing the human tendency to forget, in his Holy Spirit-inspired writings he regularly refocused our attention on spiritual truths we should not forget.
One example of this is found in the book of Acts. As Paul shared his heart with the church leaders from Ephesus, he gave them an important reminder. His words are important for us as well:
” … You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35 (NLT)
Paul said, “Don’t forget that giving is one of the best activities you can ever do. It is the way to truly be happy and blessed!“
This kind of thinking runs counter to regular human reasoning. Most people equate happiness and blessing with getting. The more we get, the happier we think we will be. The more stuff we have, the more blessed we think we are.
Not true! God says that it’s actually the opposite. The happiest and most blessed people in the world are not those who focus on getting, but those who have learned the principle and practice of giving! Generous people are joyous people!
Why is giving so important?
One of the major ways God works in and on our hearts is by teaching and challenging us to give. Giving is a practical expression of our genuine trust in God. Giving confronts greed and breaks the grip of fear over us. It helps free us from a focus on ourselves. Stingy, parsimonious people are people with small hearts and small minds. A lack of generosity indicates something about the true state of our soul. Generous people are big-spirited people. They have allowed God to stretch and mold them into true channels of blessing.
Take an honest look at yourself for a moment. How generous are you? Do you regularly and cheerfully give to God’s work. Do you regularly stretch your giving muscles by challenging yourself to be more generous than you have been in the past? Are you growing as a giver? Are you allowing God to deal with any issues in your heart that make you resistant to giving?
Sometimes we forget the things we desperately need to remember. This is true when it comes to giving. We need to consistently remind ourselves of the lesson Jesus taught us by His words and deeds, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Dale O'Shields
For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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