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“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3 (NLT)
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a member of one of those exclusive Country Clubs? You know the kind. Expensive, fancy cars packing the parking lot. Valets making sure you don’t have to bother with parking your car, or going to find it. Great food. Well kept gardens complete with pools. Beautiful scenery. Excellent service always delivered with a smile and a Mr. or Ms. and, of course, red carpet treatment.
Most of us will never experience that kind of treatment. We wouldn’t meet the entrance qualifications, or wouldn’t have the money it would take to purchase those benefits. At least not in this world.
That’s not the case in God’s Kingdom. In God’s kingdom it’s the poor who are elevated because they are the ones who are most aware of their need for God.
It’s the person who constantly struggles with life who is uplifted because they know how much they need God’s grace.
It’s those who suffer the injustice of broken relationships, addictions and persecution who will feel the warmth of Jesus’ arms as they endure the pain of life.
It’s those who are merciful to those who mistreat them or don’t deserve their generosity that are clothed in the satisfaction only Christ can give. Satisfaction in knowing someone is better because they gave.
It is those who give up their own rights to make sure the rights of others are protected that enjoy the peace that passes all understanding.
The elite Country Club has a long list of qualifications. God has one: Love me and in so doing love yourself and others.
The elite Country Club has membership dues that need to be paid. God paid your dues through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The elite Country Club offers many benefits to make your life comfortable while on earth. God promises and eternal life in heaven with Him, free of pain and heartache, and all because of Jesus.
Because of Jesus you meet the qualifications, the membership dues have been paid, and the benefits will last for eternity.
PRAYER: Holy God. I thank you for the promises of blessings far above what the world offers. There are so many times I feel insecure. So many times I worry. So many times I feel completely inadequate for the task before me. Thank you for Jesus and the comfort, forgiveness and hope for eternity I have in Him. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (The Message)
The story is told of two gentleman that grew up in a small town in the plains of the USA. Both men were well known in the small town where they lived. One was very rich. He drove the finest cars, his ranch had many acres of wheat and cattle, and the equipment he owned was always the latest model. He never married and lived alone in a huge home on top of a hill outside town. His home was clearly visible to any who would pass by.
The other gentleman lived on a modest ranch. While he had many acres of land his equipment was old and would often break down. He had several children of his own but most of the kids in town called him ‘dad’. It seems there was always a party going on at his modest home with lots of laughing and games and fun!
One day both men fell seriously ill. The wealthy man lay in bed for days until finally, he died. No one found him for months because they seldom saw him around town anyway. The second man was showered with concern and prayers. His chores were gladly taken care of by his children and those in town.
A few days after the first gentleman died there was a small funeral at the local church. Years later, when the second man died the entire town turned out to honor the life of this man. What was the difference between the men? Both men were very wealthy financially, but the difference between the two men is that the first person invested all of his time in making more money, having the newest gadgets and making a ‘name for himself.’
The second man invested his life in relationships. While he could have spent his money on himself, he was far more concerned about helping others and sharing what he had with others.
Solomon, in his wisdom tells each of us to invest the things God has given us in the lives of others. Status, homes, toys and healthy retirement accounts will all come to an end. The things we do to invest in relationships will last for eternity.
PRAYER: Father God, I thank you that I am so blessed. I don’t have much money. I’m not world famous by any means. But you’ve given me life! Help me to see ways in which I can share what you have given me with others. In Jesus name, Amen.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
There is a story in the book of Acts about a couple who got caught up in the generosity of the Christ-followers in Jerusalem. Everyone was giving away their possessions to help the poor and this couple had some land that they wanted to donate so that they would look good to the others. The problem was they weren’t quite ready to part with ALL the money from that land so they devised a plan where they would lie to the disciples and tell them they sold the land for less than they really did.
The plan backfired on the couple though and they were found out. The consequence for their deceitfulness? Death! God struck them both down in front of everyone. It was a harsh reminder then, and now, of the importance of having the right attitude about our giving. They were not required to give everything to the believers in their group and their motive was pure selfishness.
I don’t have any strong theological reason for saying this, but I wonder if one of the reasons God was so hard on this couple is because He is so generous to us. Paul writes to the church in Corinth to remind them that God gives ALL things at ALL times so we will have ALL we need to do ALL good works. In other words, God doesn’t hold back anything from His vast storehouse of blessing.
Our Heavenly Father wants to bless us generously so that we can bless others generously. We like to think that His blessing is physical and sometimes it is, but more often our blessing comes in the realm of emotional and spiritual blessing. Physical blessing fades away, but the blessing of our hearts can never be taken from us.
Sometimes it’s hard to be generous because extreme generosity is risky for us. We are afraid that if we are too generous our own needs will go unmet. We are afraid that others may misjudge our motives or take advantage of our kindness. Other times (we hate to admit this) we hold back our blessing of others because they have hurt us and we refuse to forgive them.
Our Father is generous to us without conditions and knowing we won’t always appreciate His blessing. As Christ-followers, how we bless others is a reflection of our Father’s generosity to the world around us. Be willing to practice X-treme generosity in the name of Jesus. Take some risks knowing that your kindness may not be returned and that you may be taken advantage of.
PRAYER: Dear Father in Heaven. I confess to you that often my generosity is motivated by my desire for recognition and appreciation. It’s difficult to give to others when I am not appreciated, when I’m misunderstood or when those I’m to bless have hurt me. Empower me with your Holy Spirit to bless those in my corner of the world for your sake and not mine. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:44-45
“Where do you go to church?” Unfortunately the answer to this question immediately labels you in some people’s minds. We judge a person’s character, religious beliefs and morals on the name in front of a building!
The greatest period of ‘church growth’ was when it first began. Read about it in the second chapter of Acts. Literally thousands of people were added to the church daily. People who were tired of religion the way it was, people who were struggling in relationships, people who had heard of God but had no idea that He loved them and forgave them of the bad choices in their lives.
The real church isn’t a building, it’s people. If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you don’t go to church, you ARE the church! A defining characteristic of the church (the body of Jesus followers) is that they were of one mind. There was only one goal in the early church and that was to tell others of Jesus forgiveness and love. There were no denominations. There was no discussion of the theology behind baptism or scriptural interpretation or worship styles. There was only Jesus.
The method of church growth was simple as well. No fancy programs. No seminars on how to reach other people. No discussion on how to be a seeker church. There was only generosity in the name of Jesus. The motto of the early church could very well have been “All that I have is God’s therefore I will share it with you!”
People didn’t join the church because they were able to jump through a bunch of denominational or doctrinal hoops. They didn’t join because they realized they were hopeless sinners. They joined the church because it was the one group that gave them the love, compassion and physical, emotional and spiritual help they needed. And they found all they needed in Jesus.
If you love Jesus, if you have experienced the healing, comfort and forgiveness only found in relationship with Him, you are a member of the body of Christ, or what we call the church. Don’t go to church; take the church with you into every situation you find yourself in. People may go to a building because you invite them, but they will join the church because you love them and show them Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I pray that you would forgive those of us who claim to follow you for seeing church as a building or an activity. Instill in me, and my fellow disciples, the realization that church is an organism and not an organization. Help us to show Your great, undying love to those around us so that they can become one with us. In your name I pray, Amen.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18
“I love you.” These three words can bring a whole variety of emotions to us. It can bring all-out fear is the person saying that is someone we don’t know! It can bring reassurance, peace, comfort and excitement when those words are uttered by someone who we love as well.
Psychologists say that we need to hear those words several times a day for secure emotional and even physical health. We need to hear, to be assured that we are loved because love is what keeps us sane in an insane world. The Bible says the three greatest things in our lives are faith, hope and love. People can take your wealth. Relationships fail. Finances and health vanish. But no one can take your faith. No one can destroy a hope that is fixed solidly on Jesus Christ. No one can take away Godly, Christ-like love.
The sad thing is, these three words can also be the emptiest words around. Being told we are loved by someone who hurts us makes love an empty, meaningless feeling. Being told we are loved by someone who only says that when they want something from us makes love demanding and controlling.
The best love is the love that shows itself in the daily grind. The best love is the soft touch, the gentle answer, the unexpected gift of help with no strings attached. The reason many of us are afraid to love is because we don’t want to be taken advantage of.
Christ’s love looks for nothing in return. Christ’s love seeks the good of the other person. Christ’s love gives everything it can possibly give to meet the needs of those who are troubled physically, spiritually or emotionally.
What would it be like if we as a body of believers looked at our community, sought out those who were in need, and gave without restriction? How would our community be different? How would we look to those who were the recipients of our generosity? If you want the answer to that look at Acts 2:42-47. The early church sold possessions, gave generously without concern of being taken advantage of, and grew by the thousands every day.
Jesus taught us to honor our government leaders regardless of how evil they were, but He always taught us that it was the responsibility of His followers to meet the needs of the widows, orphans and those who had fallen on hard times.
Seek God’s wisdom on how you can reach out in a material way to someone in your world, on your street, in your town, that needs to see (not hear) the love of Jesus.
PRAYER: Father God. Even though I wish I had more, I confess that you have blessed me beyond measure. I ask that you would show me how I can show Christ’s love in a tangible way to someone today. Remove the fear I have of being taken advantage of. Keep me from thinking my gift is too small or insignificant. May others be able to see by my actions that you are a God of love. I love you. Amen
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 