My Musings – “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” (Robert Louis Stevenson). Giving to those in need is “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.“
A Fragrant Offering – Be mindful of Christ and imitate how He gave of Himself. “Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1–2, NRSV 1989).
An Acceptable Sacrifice – Give sacrificially. “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43–44, NIV 1984).
Pleasing To God – Give cheerfully, without reservation. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV 1984).
My Advice – First, picture yourself in the same situation whenever you see others in need. Then decide how you can be of help. “Love has no meaning if it isn’t shared. We have been created for greater things – to love and to be loved. To love a person without any conditions, without any expectations. Small things, done in great love, bring joy and peace. To love, it is necessary to give. To give, it is necessary to be free from selfishness.” (Mother Teresa).
Today’s musing was inspired by Pastor Steve Persson’s sermon on December 1, 2019. Check it out at https://www.fbcsycamore.com/sermons. If you live in or are visiting the area, come and join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We’d love to be partners in the Gospel with you.
