Generosity
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
”Proverbs 19:17 KJV.
What this verse says to me is when you loan something to someone you are actually giving or loaning to God, who will repay you himself, in his own way. A repayment we can’t count, contain or conceive of!
My earthly daddy taught me from a young age to be a giver. To this day he will give you the shirt off his back when you need it. He has freely loaned money to family, friends, and people he barely knows. He rarely accepts repayment. If and when it’s offered, he usually gives a large portion of it back, why? I believe to see the sheer surprise and joy on the other persons face, to make them feel good. He doesn’t want anything from them, he’s not holding it over their heads for the rest of their lives. He is freely giving what he has to give and oftentimes what he really can’t afford. If my earthly father who by the way does not call himself a Christian, so easily does this, how much more should we, who call ourselves Christians, do for those less fortunate than ourselves?
We ALL have something to give. It doesn’t have to be money. The word poor can be related to lots of different situations. Poor means lacking or deficient in some area. Health, love, kindness, friends, education, knowing God.......to name a few.
You say, but Lorraine I don’t have Any special skills, I don’t have any money, what do I have to offer, what could I possibly do to effect a change? We all have something to give. A bottle of water can make a huge difference in the life of a homeless person. Can you smile? Practice smiling at everyone you meet. Look them in the eye, really see them and smile at them. Smiling is contagious, imagine what could happen if we all smiled at everyone we met. We can speak words of encouragement and affirmation., we can speak kind words, words that build up instead of tear down. Stop complaining start complementing and praising. Talk with people find out about their lives offer to pray with them and for them.
‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them’. Matt 18:20.
You have arms, hug someone. A spouse, a friend, a lonely or sad person. Hugging releases oxytocin which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger!! Be kind, be nice, be giving, be patient. Whatever you choose to do imagine it’s Jesus in front of you.
“Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40b.
Be generous with what you have with everyone you meet for as long as you live. Share The Good News, the Word of God and the love of Jesus.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10