Give

"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 (NIV)

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33 (NIV)

"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)

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:6-9

God calls some of us to go and some to give. My daughter and I were just trying to come up with the wording for an invitation to a fundraising event in support of her upcoming internship with International Justice Mission. We came up with many good possibilities and many silly sayings! We went from "Dig Deep! Give Hope!" to "Finance Freedom" to "EMPTY YOUR POCKETS!" God does call all of us to give but that is different than the gift of giving. Some have the unique ability to give large amounts to change the world. But don't let that cause us to justify! We all need to partake in His work all around the world even if we ourselves are not going. We each need to purpose what to give in our own hearts and then follow through with giving. We also need to remember that the measure that we use will be the measure used on us...

Dear Lord, Teach us to give with purpose and cheerfulness. Cause us to see the need in the world and to reach out the hand of friendship, either by going or by giving so others may go. Help us to remember the great blessings You have given us and to use those blessings for the furthering of Your kingdom...