December 2008 Meditation
It
is fitting since we are celebrating Christmas this month that we
meditate on giving. It is what is on our mind in one way or another as
we think about gift giving. At this time of year we find ourselves
giving to people we may not want to give to and giving in spite of the
fact that we do not have the money to give. Being generous is a quality
we should embrace and practice all year long. It is one of the main
characteristics about God.
Most of us have heard or know John
3:16 – “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.” (NKJV) God gave His ultimate gift for us, His only begotten Son.
We are His children and we should
imitate our Father by becoming givers.
The
virtuous woman was a giver. She was generous. She gives to the poor,
the needy and to her family. She does it because she is a woman who
fears the Lord. It is out of her relationship with the Lord that she is
a giver.
The reason we should want to be givers is because we
want to be like God. Our quest in life is to become more and more like
Him everyday. So….How do we go about learning how to be a giver?
First
of all, our motivation needs to be that we want to be like God.
Ephesians 5:1 tells us to “be imitators of God as dear children”.
Children always imitate their parents. Throughout God’s Word we see
what a giver God is. In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve
clothes to wear. He gave Abraham a son; Isaac, a wife; Jacob, twelve
sons; Joseph, his family back; Moses, a life; Joshua, the promised
land; Ruth, a husband; Hannah, a son; David, a lineage; Solomon, wisdom
and riches…and He continues to give today.
Everyday we should look for opportunities to give.
They
are all around us. Giving does not just deal with money. It has to do
with every area of our lives. Our life should be viewed as a seed. We
should ask ourselves before we do something…..”What am I sowing as I do
this?”
Our desire should be to sow to bring glory to God. If we
think of our life as a seed, it will prevent getting in the flesh
because we will realize the kind of seed we are sowing. Before doing
something ask yourself, “Is this the type of seed I want to sow and is
this something I want to reap for my future?” The more we think this
way, the more of a giver we will become.
Ask the Lord to show
you opportunities for giving everyday. Act on what He reveals to you.
As you do, you will discover the essence of life. To live is to give
and when you give, it causes you to have a rich life in Him.
I follow God's example in everything I do
because I am God's daughter. (Ephesians 5:1)
Scripture Meditation:
I AM A CHEERFUL, PROMPT-TO-DO-IT GIVER AND MY HEART IS IN MY GIVING BECAUSE I AM LIKE MY FATHER GOD. (2 COR. 9: 7)
FREELY I HAVE RECEIVED, AND FREELY I GIVE. (MATTHEW 10:8)
I USE MY MONEY TO DO GOOD. I AM RICH IN GOOD WORKS AND I GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED. (1 TIMOTHY 6:18)
I AM ALWAYS READY TO SHARE WITH OTHERS WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME. (1 TIMOTHY 6:18)