The Giver
The guest worship leader came representing a well known ministry. He was gifted musically, playing the piano with casual ease but great skill, while talking, in between songs he'd written and recorded, about the children whose lives could be changed forever for the price of our North American coffee habit.
His young wife ran the sound system at the back of the church, "Great with child," as he put it proudly; their first. They have been called to "live by faith," serving this ministry; he using his voice and talent to make a difference.
But not on any pedestal, this young man. He talked of idols, of the constant personal temptation to be captivated by "stuff," or addictions; on-line shopping; this or that. I know how it goes. Nail one down addiction and the self life oozes out somewhere else.
At the end, one of my younger friends met me at the back and said she'd sponsored a child. She said slightly nervously that she hoped she could manage it.
In the midst of a busy whirlwind of a day, today, another young friend told me of obedience in giving a "tithe;" a tenth, to the Lord; and of how big a sum that was when you give the whole tenth, especially to a young couple with large day care expenses. And of how they really shouldn't be managing without it, but how, amazingly they were.
And I thought of another young couple many years ago, learning to take God at his word and trust him to meet their needs. And of how blessed we are; not because of what we have given, but because we have trusted God, who will never, be out-given.
I opened the Daily Light tonight and read this morning's reading again.
Mar 31 Apr 1 >>
Morning
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”—He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?—For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.—As having nothing, yet possessing everything.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.—For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.—God . . . richly provides us with everything to enjoy.—And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 3:21-23; 2 Cor. 6:10; Ps. 23:1; Ps. 84:11; 1 Tim. 6:17; 2 Cor. 9:8 (Read full verses...)
His young wife ran the sound system at the back of the church, "Great with child," as he put it proudly; their first. They have been called to "live by faith," serving this ministry; he using his voice and talent to make a difference.
But not on any pedestal, this young man. He talked of idols, of the constant personal temptation to be captivated by "stuff," or addictions; on-line shopping; this or that. I know how it goes. Nail one down addiction and the self life oozes out somewhere else.
At the end, one of my younger friends met me at the back and said she'd sponsored a child. She said slightly nervously that she hoped she could manage it.
In the midst of a busy whirlwind of a day, today, another young friend told me of obedience in giving a "tithe;" a tenth, to the Lord; and of how big a sum that was when you give the whole tenth, especially to a young couple with large day care expenses. And of how they really shouldn't be managing without it, but how, amazingly they were.
And I thought of another young couple many years ago, learning to take God at his word and trust him to meet their needs. And of how blessed we are; not because of what we have given, but because we have trusted God, who will never, be out-given.
I opened the Daily Light tonight and read this morning's reading again.
Mar 31 Apr 1 >>
Morning
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”—He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?—For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.—As having nothing, yet possessing everything.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.—For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.—God . . . richly provides us with everything to enjoy.—And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 3:21-23; 2 Cor. 6:10; Ps. 23:1; Ps. 84:11; 1 Tim. 6:17; 2 Cor. 9:8 (Read full verses...)
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