This post will seem radical to some. However, it’s nothing short of how we as Christians should be living.
A couple of weeks ago, our Mothers On Mission ministry gathered up lightly used clothes for a local elementary school. I stood in the lunchroom surveying the neatly organized, second-hand clothes. I’ll admit, a little root of pride began to sprout deep within my heart. Clothes, hats, scarves, and coats of all sizes were donated to help kids in need. That’s when God began to press on my heart. He pressed so hard it made me uncomfortable…and it will you too.
God spoke a question to my soul that day. Am I tossing away my left-overs to the poor? The answer is yes. Am I donating my family’s scraps so I can rid my home of excess “stuff” that I didn’t need in the first place? The answer is yes. Am I donating “things” to make me feel good about myself or to truly help others? This is a personal inventory I need to take.
The question isn’t, “How much can I spare, but how much can I give?” I don’t think when I stand before the Creator of the Universe, He will say, “Kelli, I don’t think you kept enough for yourself.” Do you?
God doesn’t desire or deserve my leftovers. I believe He doesn’t want us to give our leftovers to people in need either. Christ in us will move us to give generously, abundantly, passionately, boldly, and sacrificially. Christ in us will compel us to give more than we think we can afford. This kind of giving kicks us out of our comfort zones and into a life of complete biblical surrender.
This is what I want, don’t you?
I love when God challenges me this way.
Do you follow Jesus or are you a follower of Jesus?
If you are a follower of Jesus then let’s ask ourselves, “What would happen if we stopped donating our left over time, left over money, left over clothes to the poor and began giving our surplus? Our best? Remember, God loves "a cheerful giver." The giving can’t be out of religious duty. It must be out of our absolute delight in serving Him.
Instead of tossing out an old blanket because our tastes have changed, what if we gave away our newly purchased Pottery Barn comforter? What if we left the warmth of our homes tonight and headed downtown to hand out blankets to those shivering in the cold? I am doing this soon. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Let’s call our “what-if’s” into action today--because we are not promised tomorrow!
He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,even the princes of his own people!
Praise the LORD!
~ Psalm 113:5-9
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
~ 2 Cor. 8-9
A couple of weeks ago, our Mothers On Mission ministry gathered up lightly used clothes for a local elementary school. I stood in the lunchroom surveying the neatly organized, second-hand clothes. I’ll admit, a little root of pride began to sprout deep within my heart. Clothes, hats, scarves, and coats of all sizes were donated to help kids in need. That’s when God began to press on my heart. He pressed so hard it made me uncomfortable…and it will you too.
God spoke a question to my soul that day. Am I tossing away my left-overs to the poor? The answer is yes. Am I donating my family’s scraps so I can rid my home of excess “stuff” that I didn’t need in the first place? The answer is yes. Am I donating “things” to make me feel good about myself or to truly help others? This is a personal inventory I need to take.
The question isn’t, “How much can I spare, but how much can I give?” I don’t think when I stand before the Creator of the Universe, He will say, “Kelli, I don’t think you kept enough for yourself.” Do you?
God doesn’t desire or deserve my leftovers. I believe He doesn’t want us to give our leftovers to people in need either. Christ in us will move us to give generously, abundantly, passionately, boldly, and sacrificially. Christ in us will compel us to give more than we think we can afford. This kind of giving kicks us out of our comfort zones and into a life of complete biblical surrender.
This is what I want, don’t you?
I love when God challenges me this way.
Do you follow Jesus or are you a follower of Jesus?
If you are a follower of Jesus then let’s ask ourselves, “What would happen if we stopped donating our left over time, left over money, left over clothes to the poor and began giving our surplus? Our best? Remember, God loves "a cheerful giver." The giving can’t be out of religious duty. It must be out of our absolute delight in serving Him.
Instead of tossing out an old blanket because our tastes have changed, what if we gave away our newly purchased Pottery Barn comforter? What if we left the warmth of our homes tonight and headed downtown to hand out blankets to those shivering in the cold? I am doing this soon. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Let’s call our “what-if’s” into action today--because we are not promised tomorrow!
He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,even the princes of his own people!
Praise the LORD!
~ Psalm 113:5-9
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
~ 2 Cor. 8-9
Written with conviction and love,
So true, God doesn't want our leftovers. He wants our first fruits. And if we desire to have a heart like Jesus then we really need to evaluate our motives when serving others. Thanks for the thought provoking post!
ReplyDeleteI was in jail and you did not visit me. I was naked and you did not clothe me. Jesus was referring to the poor. I haven't thought about this in awhile, but he does want us to help the poor. So that by our works, someone may see Christ in us. Good Job Kelli, can't wait to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteTHIS.IS.SO.TRUE. Thank you for this reminder Kelli! Wow...I am taking this to heart. It brings the story of the widow to my mind...she gave not out of her excess, but she gave ALL she had, her whole living.
ReplyDeleteConvicting, but true. We make sure we are well taken care of first and then think of others second or third even... leftovers, it's painful to realize this truth. I am with you, lets go my friend!
ReplyDeleteCount me in!! I want to Give love abundantly I want it to pour out of me,,Jesus pouring right out of me,,I want people to recognize it as him!! Jesus would take his coat and put it around that child,woman,man,, I don't want to be able to say,,I could have done more,,in the end I want to stand next to God and have COMPLETE conviction that I gave all,,It is a prayer of mine to be transformed this way, to love and give without limits,,Jesus would JESUS DID!!
ReplyDelete