Giving Again?

Monday, August 15, 2022

There is this little poem I learned many years ago, “What, giving again?” I asked in dismay. “And must I keep giving and giving away?” “Oh no,” said the Master, piercing me through. “Just give till the Father stops giving to you!” (Author Annon)

Do you ever feel like you are giving so much that you can’t give any more? Tim and I are sometimes confronted with an opportunity to give where the need is really great. Our hearts are drawn to the need. Would you believe, most of these opportunities come at a time when we are struggling ourselves. We want to help. But the thoughts flow in: We are giving enough. We can’t afford to give more at this time. Well, if I’m honest, those are my thoughts. Tim is ready to give to anyone in need at the drop of a hat! We help each other be more balanced.

But to give above and beyond the usual often means sacrifice. Several things come to mind: Luke 21;1-4 says: “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Am I just giving out of my wealth or am I really making sacrifices for God.

My oldest brother is an excellent example of this widow to me. For years he and his wife supported my/our ministry while they were really struggling financially. They would rather keep up all their giving commitments than buy food! As a result, God kept food on their table! We have other supporters with similar type stories. We are continually amazed and humbled by them.

When I went off to Bible School, many years ago, the attitude of sacrificial giving wasn’t forefront in my mind. In my teens, it was ingrained in my thinking to tithe at least 10% of all I earned, so I had experienced God’s faithfulness many times over, unfortunately my faith was still lacking. I had been supporting a Compassion Child but when Bible School came along, there was no assurances I would even have all my tuition money. Thus, I did what I thought was best at the time. I gave up my Compassion Child. Tithing whatever monies came in, God faithfully gave above and beyond my expectations. It was a powerful and painful lesson to learn. I had made the decision without even consulting my heavenly Father about it. Sigh.

Phil 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God says he will supply our needs, not our wants. Still, I have experienced the fact that God loves to shower us with gifts as well.

When I was first heading off to Austria with Child Evangelism Fellowship, there was a set of luggage I was longing for. It would be special starting off my ministry with a good set of luggage. This was a tapestry set of luggage that was so popular back in the late 80’s. It consisted of five pieces: two different size suitcases, a duffle bag, a suit bag and an overnighter. I committed it to prayer. Would you believe, in the course of that year, while I was on deputation to raise the funds for Austria, God gave me every piece of that luggage, mostly gifts from others. I still remember the last piece. The day before I was to fly out to Austria I still hadn’t been able to get the duffle bag. At that time, I had enough luggage so I just gave it to the Lord.

Then two things happened: I got a package and a visitor. The package turned out to be a beautiful quilt that some ladies from Roseburg, Oregon made for me. It was beautiful. It was big. I had no suitcase for it. The visitor was a dear friend of my moms who had dropped by to wish me well on my journey. As she was leaving, she gave me an envelope and made clear it was for my trip or last-minute needs. Last minute needs… I needed a suitcase for my quilt!

Well, dad and I jumped in the car and headed to Sears. The first store did not have the duffle bag so we headed to the next. There it was, the last one. Furthermore, the money I received was the exact amount I needed for the bag. Do we have an awesome God or what?!?!

Giving more than we think we are able is possible if we are willing to make a few sacrifices. My older sister once commented, if we just gave up one coffee at Starbucks each week, we would have around $20.00 a month to give. Tim and I consider it a privilege when we are able to give up something to help someone in need or further the Kingdome of God! As a result, God continues to blessed in one way or another. Luke 6:38 says, “Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

How’s your giving? Remember, you just can’t out give God! Don’t believe me? Test it out for yourself.

Blessings, Mari