by Hariette Petersen on January 23, 2011Print This Post Print This Post

Times are tough. People everywhere feel the pressure of deteriorating economies. Few are exempt from the financial difficulties. A friend of mine has been out of work for over a year. She told me she went to another interview this week and was one of six hundred applicants for the single job being offered. She is not alone. Many people face similar plights. As people battle these hardships, churches and charities suffer, too. Churches provide many things for their communities. Food, clothing, benevolent assistance to needy. When giving is down, churches have less to share with others. Yet, there is great hope when we turn to scripture and seek God’s will for our lives. The churches of Macedonia illustrate that no matter how little one has, a heart filled with Jesus is a heart that gives.

“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 2 Corinthians 8:2-4

Can you imagine? Philippi, Berea and Thessalonica were so touched by the needs of their fellow brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, that they reached into the depths of their own need and gave beyond their ability and expectations. They gave what they had and then gave some more. Their sacrificial giving did not need to be coerced. They didn’t need a stewardship emphasis, or a building-for-God’s-glory program. They didn’t hold a raffle or have a bake-sale. They simply gave. What makes the difference in a person’s heart that stirs it to give beyond its means? According to the Apostle Paul, it was their devotion to Jesus. They put Him first. Then they gave to others in ministry as a natural overflow of their love for Him.

Such evidence of love is commendable faith. We cannot outgive God. He provides everything we have. Even in the most lean times of my life, I found God faithful to care for me. I may not have all I want, but God meets my needs. I’ve never gone hungry or without shelter. This provision stirs my heart to help others. When hearts are filled with love for Jesus, they grow in faith, they increase in wisdom, knowledge and kindness. They dedicate their time and energy. They teach, preach, sing and pray. Can we do more? Paul thought so when he wrote the Corinthians:

“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” {vs. 7). Is God calling you to give? Are you struggling with a decision to give more to your church or a particular ministry? May God give you the answer you need to be at peace.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for all You give us. Help us be mindful of Your provision as we consider what we can give to others. May we seek to live as Christ and give beyond ourselves as You so lead us. Amen.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011
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Give until it pinches you then praise God for giving you to give. All we have belongs to God. Silver and Gold they all belong to God. Give in Jesus name give all the time.

I think God is every where. God is characteristics,river,sky and our mom and dad. God is every where. All belief show us God is in our center. Kids look is like a God. God is the brow and religious.

ground marking paint

It is indeed a pleasure to be in a place with so much people closely knitted together by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I would just like to add to the words above and exalt the viewers of this post further by emphasizing on the Glory of God. He that knows the Word knows God, and the word of God tells us Seek him first his Kingdom and his Glory and all things shall be granted unto us. It also says in Psalm 23:1-2

"The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want. He Maketh me to lie down in Green Pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters,"

and Psalm 23:5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over".

The word of God makes it clear that God is our provider even in the mist of our gravest situation, we shall not be in want because all of our needs will be provided by God. From the moment we are appointed and annointed as servants of God by the holy spirit our blessings will be abundant, our cups will overflow by his grace and we will find Peace through him.

I say this to you my friends, there is no economic disaster that can starve the followers of Christ! he said he will never see the righteous forsaken or seen begging for bread. Our father is the almighty God no matter what life may look like here on earth each and everyone are appointed mansions and riches in heaven.

We as humans tend to look at provisions as just Food and material things but the word of God tells us in Matthew 4:4 "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God"

And in Isiah 53:1-2 "1.Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price 2.Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me. and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."

See all God asks of us is to come and get to know him through his word, allow the holy spirit to guide you and seek him. Eat and drink the word of God. The Lord dries up our assets when we need to fast. We often ask God to help us get closer to him and to do his will but we don't realize when he's helping us.

Once we know God then sharing and loving each other becomes easy and we give wholeheartedly knowing that whatever we give today God will return to us on a larger scale. In biblical times the followers of Christ knew him that's how they were able to share not thinking of themselves. Put God First, Others In between and Your self last and you will see the fruits of the Spirit in its fullness.


TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HIS HAND OF FAVOR BE UPON YOU ALL AMEN