Give Without Expectations

December 3, 2018December 3, 2018 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back” (Luke 6: 34.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

   Even the cruelest individuals will give money to those who promise to pay them back. And yet, Jesus desired that his disciples be completely selfless. He therefore taught them to give without expecting anything in return. The mandate of everyone who longs to practice genuine Godliness must freely give, when they are able, to those who are in need.
   One day, as I was getting ready to leave the gym, I bumped into an acquaintance who asked if he could borrow $10 dollars. After giving him the money, he continued to insist that he would pay me back. (With this scripture in mind) I told him that the money was from God, and that I didn’t want any form of repayment. He immediately understood that it was a gift and not a loan; as we parted ways, I felt a warm blessing; because I had done God’s will.
   The Lord is pleased when His disciple’s standout; when they shine; when they are more loving and more charitable than those around them. Giving without expectation or the desire for repayment is just one identifiable characteristic of a true believer. Whether we pass by a stranger begging for change, or a family member who needs help paying the rent, we must be willing to freely give, when we are able. May we always choose to freely give; may we love without restriction, and may we receive the ultimate compensation for your unconditional obedience.
   “Lord Heavenly Father, help us to be obedient, to be caring, and to be generous. May we always freely give expecting nothing in return; for we desire heavenly rewards over earthly rewards. May Your love for others flow through us, that our faith might be a light to all those who walk in darkness. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Giving is better than Receiving

January 8, 2018January 8, 2018 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20: 35.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The word ‘blessed’ most commonly translates in to the English word for ‘happiness.’ Those who live a ‘blessed’ life regularly experience joy, peace, and contentment. Such a pleasant existence can only be achieved and maintained through daily acts of selflessness and service. Sadly however, nearly all human beings are resoundingly selfishness. In an endeavor to acquire as many possessions as possible, many become isolated, depressed, and discouraged. They aren’t aware that true happiness doesn’t come from selfish gain; rather, it is the product of selfless giving.

Michael Norton, a Harvard business professor, sought to discover a link between overall happiness and daily giving. He conducted an experiment in which a small amount of money was given to a group of test subjects. Half of the participants were instructed to spend the money on themselves; the other half were told to spend the money on someone else. When researchers contacted the subjects at the end of the day, they found that those who had spent the money on someone else reported feeling much happier than those who had selfishly squandered their’ allotted funds. [Note: In another study, Norton found that sales team productivity and relationship quality increased as salespeople were given money to spend on other team members.]

Norton had discovered that, although selfish gain seems appealing, it also lacks the power to bring about lasting joy. Genuine peace and contentment are the products of selflessness and sacrifice. By serving and giving, we can demonstrate the generosity and love of Jesus Christ. May we never forget that happiness comes not from what we might receive, but rather, from what we are willing to give.

“Lord Heavenly Father, pour out upon us Your many blessings. As we love and serve our fellows, may we be filled with happiness and joy. May our selfish desires come to an end; that through sacrifice, others might come to glorify Your holy name. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.

Being Charitable

January 30, 2017 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

And he said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.” Then he spoke a parable to them saying, “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose things will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God?” (Luke 12: 13-21.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus warned his followers to avoid covetousness; covetousness is the “excessive desire to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves.” Most people are unsatisfied with the bare necessities. They, like the wealthy man in this parable, need abundance in order to feel secure. When the rich man had fully filled his barns, he selfishly sought to keep the additional grain for himself; shamefully, he never considered the needs of the less fortunate. The man’s plans for a comfortable future were short lived however; for death would visit him that same day. The man lost his life, his possessions, and because of his greed, he lost his eternal place with God.

When I was a child, my mother would often bake cookies. When she had finished using most of the cookie dough, she would give the bowl and spoon to my siblings and I. We would scrape the bowl and lick the spoon clean. To us, every crumb was a nugget of sweet creamy goodness. Whatever was not consumed was unfortunately wasted. God as well is not fond of wastefulness. Whenever one seeks to possess more than they can use, they engage in a worthless and futile endeavor. The Lord is greatly pleased when His children utilize their wealth to bless those in need. Nothing in God’s kingdom ever goes to waste. When asked how to prepare for the coming of the messiah, John the Baptist said, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food let him do likewise” (Luke 3: 11.)

Christians are required to employ their abundant possessions to glorify God, and to bless the needy. If you are wealthy put your money to work for The Lord. If you own property and you are not using it, offer it to someone who can. If your closet is overflowing, gather up the overflow and bring it to the thrift store. If you have excess time, don’t waste it; instead use it to love those who are hurting. If God has given you abilities and talents, exercise them constructively; use them to serve your fellows. No one is guaranteed tomorrow; put whatever you have been given in excess to work for God today. May His generosity fill your hearts; may the desire to serve and to provide for the needs of others become a newfound principle in your life; and may you find comfort in knowing that your earthly charity will produce eternal riches.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You and ask that You help us to be generous toward You and toward those who are in need. Relieve our fears, so we can let go of greed and seek to use our abundance to bless others. As we become willing to give, may we procure eternal riches; riches without end; riches reserved for us in Your Heavenly Kingdom. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.