God's Pocket?

Here's a thought for you. Do you carry God in your pocket?  No - I'm not talking about a pocket bible, I'm talking about God's generosity and willingness to give to those who have true need. So many times we equate "giving" as putting money in the plate on Sunday. Yet, it is much more.

When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back. 

Prov 19:17

The truth is, God wants to use some of your money to help people in need. We are not here to live totally to ourselves. He gives to us so that we can give to others. This is the way that God is and it is the way that He wants us to be - Generous.  Everything we have in life is because of God’s generosity. We wouldn't have anything — we wouldn’t even be alive — if it weren’t for God’s generosity.  God says, Psa. 50:12  "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine."  And again, Jesus says, Luke 6:38  "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Therefore, since everything is God's and I am simply a steward, the things we are given that belong to Him He wants us to share with others. So, how do we use what God gives us? So he gives you a set amount of money and says, “I want you to learn to live on less so you can use the rest to help others. I’m going watch you to see how you manage and distribute my resources. If you do well, I'm going to will it all to you.” How then would you use those resources?

Many, become selfish, stingy, demanding and prudish. The believe the resources are theirs - they worked hard for them and besides, they need it for retirement and enjoyment of life later. When working, we have no time for the poor and often feel ourselves poor. When retired, we have to manage our resources wisely to set out our remaining days in what comfort we can - we have no space to help others, after all we live on meager means ourselves.

Yet, who is willing to argue with the example of the Widow in the Temple, "And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."  Luke 21:3,4

The truth is, God wants us all to love one another and help one another. No matter how rich, no matter how poor - I am to Love God first, and my Neighbor as myself!  And the more we help others, the more like God we become. 

So, set aside to give on the Lord's day from your heart, as this is what the scriptures teach us (1 Cor.16:1,2; 2 Cor.9).  But also, try setting aside a little in the back part of your pocket, wallet, or purse. And the next time, when you run on that person on the street that needs a meal, or someone that needs help - reach into that part of your wallet and tell them that God has given this to you to share with them.

Jim