It's Hard to Give When

It's hard to give when it means something.  Giving money is great, and I do that.  To be honest, I haven't been compelled to give away so much money that I wondered where my next meal would come from.

One time, I gave a curio cabinet away.  That one hurt.  Not only did I give away something that at one time was one of my prized possessions (a gift from hubs), but I gave it to someone who hated me.  This woman trash talked me (the pastor's wife) to some trouble makers in the church. These people wanted my husband GONE!  It caused so much trouble that we had to come home from a vacation 2 states away after only being there 24 hours.  After that, everything went on a downward spiral (which ultimately turned out to be our ticket to freedom). 



A little while later, I gave.  That's right. I gave my "prized" possession away.  To her.  To the woman who was malicious in her talk about me.  She put it in her daughter's room and filled it with "J's" prized possessions!  I was happy to be a blessing.  Even to someone who hated me which, by the way, was no secret.  You should have seen her face when I told her she could have it.  She was so confused!  :)

For God so loved the world that He gave...

He is our reason for giving.  He is our example.  You wouldn't believe the freedom that comes when you bless an "enemy."  Imagine how free God had to feel after he gave.  Before salvation, we are His enemies.  That's a hard one to swallow AND I can't say that it is at all a comforting thought! 

Romans 5:10 (NLT)
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

Joyce Meyer has a great message on giving.  She says that if you don't have money to give, take something off your wall.  Take something out of your closet.  Just give!