DAY 18 – Giving

Today’s Scripture:

3 John 1:5-8 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

This is one of the coolest concepts in the Bible. That when we do whatever we do faithful to help those who are on mission with God that we become fellow workers with them for the truth.

In the Kingdom there is this multiplying effect that happens when we help, share, give, and pray. We become co-workers with them and with God.

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3:8-9

We are all on the same team, doing different things, faithfully for Christ. We all work together, but the reward is individual – or for each one – according to their work.

Not only do we get to work with God – which is a privilege on its own, but He also rewards us for our participation. So, one may plant the seed, but we may get to be a waterer of that seed becoming a partaker of the reward of what another planted. We are not out here just doing it all on our own.

Our job is to know to whom we belong – we are the Beloved. Abide in Him, and keep His commandments and as we go, do faithfully whatever He gives us to do becoming fellow workers in the truth.

Action: 

Have you tried activating faith through giving? It is just one of the ways we can grow trust in the Lord and one of the ways we can bless others.

I remember when we first came back to Springs. It was just after the flood of 08. There was a new pastor, and the Lord was at work rebuilding our community of faith. All of the records for who was a member had been destroyed by the water. One Sunday, the pastor said, “I know that many of you who have come back after this were members before or perhaps you would like to become members now. If so, we would love to invite you to fill out this card.

I looked at my husband and said, “Do you want to do that?” He said, “sure.” I said, “You know what that means, right?” He said, “that we will be members.” I said, “Yes, but not just that. It means that we will be all in. Serving, Giving, Helping, being a real part of this church.” He said, “Ya, I know.” So that is what we have been doing for the last 15 years.

This is where God planted us. There is no leaving, no giving up, bowing out, or causing disunity. There is only working it out, being helpful, love one another, and doing what we can to help this place grow and be a place people can find Jesus in every corner.

Thanks for Listening,

Starla