“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
Today is ‘Giving Tuesday’! If you do not know that you probably don’t subscribe to any online Christian Devotionals. Because I subscribe to as many as 6, I am WELL aware of this day and its purpose. And I’m sick of hearing about it! So I’m privately venting!
Over the years I have taken advantage of the wonderful Bible teachings of some nationwide ministries. When done right, and someone undertakes to write a devotional to reach people for Christ, it should ALWAYS be at the request and nudge of the Holy Spirit. That ministry becomes a call and gifting of God to do HIS work. When it goes beyond that… I have a problem.
For the last 2 weeks I have been devotionally reminded that ‘Giving Tuesday’ would be a PERFECT opportunity for ME to give $$$ to THEM, so that THEY could do the work of God, to which they have been called. Two devotionals I signed up for never even sent me the devotions! Only DAILY reminders of how I could give to their ministry. Sadly, unsubscribing from the ministry grants only a temporary reprieve.
On a few occasions, after a Holy Spirit nudge… or some guilt… I sent a check. The result was worse than if I’d ignored them. Once they had my address, pestering reminders of how ‘I’ could HELP overflowed into my mailbox! Trying to get off a MAILING list is almost impossible! It seems that the art of ‘taking,’ even in Christian circles, has become big business.
The Gospel is FREE! Jesus Christ came, died and rose again to give me FREE and ABUNDANT LIFE, both here and on into Heaven. Of all people, I am living proof of His Grace. But as in all things Jesus, the initial Word goes deeper. Being a Christian costs me my entire life! I am called and required to GIVE EVERYTHING to HIM. He, in return, gives me all of Himself. If I’m not giving ME… I’m not getting HIM!
I am a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But so is EVERYBODY who calls Jesus Lord and Savior. It is an honor and privilege to serve and give to Him. HE directs and calls me to pass on His message to those in my world. Asking people for money to do so just seems wrong to me.
If you like this daily devotional, I am honored to serve. But as much as you feel COMPELLED to do it… do NOT send me any money! God already has offering plates in His local Church for that very purpose. He already blesses me beyond words… just like He will you. Please be careful where you Give the King’s blessings. He watches THAT TOO! Merry Christmas.
What, how and where are YOU giving to ‘The King’?
