God and Your Generosity

THIS MONTH'S THEME: FAITH & FREEDOM

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ~2 Corinthians 9:8, New International Version

Every one of us wants to be needed. But are we enabling instead?

It can feel like a walking a tightrope when deciding how much of your time, talent, or treasure to give to a person or thing. The Bible is clear about generosity, but it is also clear about boundaries.

And God is able to bless you....

As my only child prepared to go off to college, so many people told me I was going to cry and be emotional. "Yes", I responded, "but birds gotta fly". That became my new motto as an empty-nester. That and, "Some lessons the world has to teach."

In fact, I did not actually shed a tear until we were getting back in the SUV after dropping him off, and it was only because of God's confirmation.

All of the hugs and kisses were done. Kenney was settling in with his friends inside the dorm. Time to go home. I open the passenger side door and laying on the instep is a large, beautiful white feather.

Birds gotta fly...

Queue the crocodile tears!

In life, love, ministry, and marketplace, it can be hard not to react when those we care about are faced with challenges. But there are some lessons that the world has to teach, and one of them is to first seek provision from the One Who Has All Power. And not just financial provision, but emotional and relational provision as well.

Think about it like this; how much we enable is a reflection of how little we trust. Everyone, everyone, wants to be needed. But ask yourself,

Are YOU what they need?

Or are you taking up God-space?

Funny how in the midst of 2 Corinthians 9, a passage encouraging generosity, the Apostle Paul puts in perspective who ultimately our blessings come from and who we should be ultimately looking to.

It is time put your generosity in perspective.

Giving gives God room to do much with our little. Enabling feeds our ego and quenches the Spirit. If your methods of supporting the people, things, or organizations you care about are activated by a need to be needed, I encourage you to rethink your strategy.

Sometimes, God may use you as the vehicle for provision. Other times only as a vessel for prayers or divine instruction. Either way, it should done with the understanding that only God can provide the abundance, so that in all things and at all times they have all they need to abound in every good work. Give according to Heaven's instruction and you add a power to the equation that can empower far beyond your reach.

Birds gotta fly.

Make sure their hope (and yours) is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.