Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings God has given us and express our gratitude for them. Most of us are good about thinking of the things we have to be thankful for, and some of us even take the time to say a prayer of thanksgiving, but does God expect more?
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. ~ Luke 12:48
If anyone has been given much, it is us.
Do you think God is more pleased when we say, "Thank You" while grasping our blessings tightly, or when we follow His example and freely give what has been given to us?
My husband and I have been sponsoring needy children in various programs for as long as we have been married, and over the years we began supporting missionaries in addition to giving at our local church. A couple years ago we had been notified that one child we sponsored had aged out of the program. Our finances had been a tight for quite some time, so our first thought was that God was releasing us from this obligation.
Recognizing that our first thoughts can be just that, OUR thoughts, we decided we needed to pray and ask God if this was indeed what He intended.
In a very short period of time, two different members of our church announced they were being called into the mission field and would be leaving as soon as they could raise the necessary financial support. God made it clear to us that we were to be among their supporters.
While we were thinking it would make sense for us to drop a committment at this time, God was saying, "No, don't drop it. Double it!"
Really?
With all the uncertainty regarding my husband's job and all my pay coming in the form of jewels in my crown, lowering our financial obligation made sense to us. Doubling it did not. Then again, God's math never does seem to make sense when looking at it from an earthly perspective.
It's been almost two years since we took the step of faith of supporting these two missionaries and raising our financial obligation rather than lowering it. During those two years our income has remained the same while everything else has gone up in price, and yet somehow we have always had what we needed. But then again, that is how God said it would work...
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." ~ Malachi 3:10
Father, thank you for always providing what we need, even when it doesn't come in the form we expect. Open our eyes to the needs around us and allow us to experience your miraculous provision. Thank you for allowing us access to your vast storehouse so that we may give out of your abundance!
Learn how you can provide food and education for a needy child in Kenya by clicking here.
Recognizing that our first thoughts can be just that, OUR thoughts, we decided we needed to pray and ask God if this was indeed what He intended.
In a very short period of time, two different members of our church announced they were being called into the mission field and would be leaving as soon as they could raise the necessary financial support. God made it clear to us that we were to be among their supporters.
While we were thinking it would make sense for us to drop a committment at this time, God was saying, "No, don't drop it. Double it!"
Really?
With all the uncertainty regarding my husband's job and all my pay coming in the form of jewels in my crown, lowering our financial obligation made sense to us. Doubling it did not. Then again, God's math never does seem to make sense when looking at it from an earthly perspective.
It's been almost two years since we took the step of faith of supporting these two missionaries and raising our financial obligation rather than lowering it. During those two years our income has remained the same while everything else has gone up in price, and yet somehow we have always had what we needed. But then again, that is how God said it would work...
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." ~ Malachi 3:10
Father, thank you for always providing what we need, even when it doesn't come in the form we expect. Open our eyes to the needs around us and allow us to experience your miraculous provision. Thank you for allowing us access to your vast storehouse so that we may give out of your abundance!
Lisa
Learn how you can provide food and education for a needy child in Kenya by clicking here.
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