Testimony
The Lord reminded me this week about giving. Right now the cost of living is at record highs, things are very tough, and very often we find ourselves praying for God to do this or that for us. But the Lord reminded me of the scripture that says true religion is being kind to widows and orphans — and it is not just talking about widows and orphans, it is talking about being kind and generous to anyone in need, whatever that looks like.
While I was sitting there deciding whether to come up and share this, the Lord also reminded me of 1 Kings 17, where Elijah met the widow. He was hungry and asked her to feed him. She said she only had enough left for her son and herself, and then they were going to die. He said, feed me first — and she fed him, and her supply overflowed.
The Lord showed me that sometimes we get so consumed with our perceived lack, and the things we think we need, that we miss opportunities to give out of the areas where we actually have excess — and sometimes we don't have excess, but we can still give out of what little we have. Sometimes the breakthrough comes not from asking the Lord to give to us, but when, out of our own lack, we give to others. And sometimes just the peace that comes from God when we give out of our lack is enough — it reminds us who God is.
The pastor spoke this morning about the purpose of the church, and ultimately the purpose of the church is to show the love of God. God is a giver. We could never give anywhere close to what the Lord has given us. Our job is to illustrate to people what God is all about.
When Jesus was preaching and there were five thousand people, the disciples urged him to send the people home. He said no — we have to feed these people — and he took the five loaves and two fish from the boy and fed the five thousand. Jesus was showing us that we can talk all we like about God, the goodness of God, scripture and miracles — but if we don't meet the needs of the people God puts in our way, our testimony is worth nothing.
Giving is about love. God is about love, and one of the ways to demonstrate God's love is through giving.
— A believer at GCC
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28 (KJV)
What did the Lord say to you while reading this — and what will you do about it before the week is out?