Giving

Hello Everyone,

I didn't go to church this morning. I woke up was getting ready when I started feeling a little puny. I got a little dizzy and had to lay down. By the time I felt ok service was already over. I did attend a baby shower today but was nauseous once I got there and stayed that way.

But you know I was thinking about giving today. All the presents Ashlei got I know that she really needed. She is 16, still in high school and really needs everything she can get. I never have a problem giving presents for any occasion. I enjoy giving.

My husband complains a lot that I give too much to the people I care about. Now my husband will give you the shirt off of his back. If you ask me, he gives way too much. His complaint about me is not that I give to other people but that I don't get for myself. He thinks I never buy myself anything and that I need to give to myself as much as I give to other people. You know I do agree with that. But you know, I don't get the same kind of pleasure when I buy for myself as I do when I buy for others.

So I thought well it's like 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

That scripture is about tithing but you know that is basically giving. Another scripture - Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Now that is a true sacrifice to put in all you had to live on. Notice that the rich people threw in large amounts. The meaning to me is that they were giving begrudgingly because they threw in their money. Play of words or are we to learn something from that? I think the latter.

Do you give with a cheerful heart? Does it make you feel good to pay your tithes or do you resent it? In the Old Testament it states to give a tenth. In the New Testament 1 Corinthians 16:2

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

You know if you do that on the first day of every week then is it the 7 day week or do you base that on the 5 day work week. I mean if I take my weekly income and divide it by 7 then I would give the first day of my income in tithes because it would be my first day of the week earnings. But if I divide that amount by the 5 day work week, the amount is obviously going to be larger because I am dividing it by 5 instead of 7. What's right? The 7 day week or the 5 day work week?

Now that is what I get from this scripture. You may interpret it in a totally different way. But you know what? Our Lord is so clever that if I divide my weekly income by 10% it is the same amount as the 5 day work week. Hmmm...

Now what about giving? I mean what about the present I gave today? What about the food I buy every month from Angel Food Ministries for another family? Are those the same as tithing because I am giving? Should I deduct that from my tithing next week? Should I even tithe to my church if I give regular to other charities?

Giving a gift at a baby shower is what provoked this train of thought today. I could go on and on about the rest of my thoughts but I didn't start this post to talk about giving. I was simply going to tell you about my day. However this is the way my post turned out today. Is there another force here that wanted me to write this post for some reason today? I don't know but every time the Lord has moved me to do something I ALWAYS do it. You know why? Because if I don't he will be there nudging me until I do. I have learned to do what He wants me to do because if I don't my spirit will be bothered until I do. I love the Lord. I don't know who this post is going to benefit if anyone. Maybe it is only for me. But for whatever reason here it is.

Is the Lord bothering you to do something? Sometimes you are like 'no don't make me do that' or 'no I don't want to do that'. I'm telling you, just do it. Because no matter how much you resist - you will end up doing it anyway!


Have a blessed day!