Measuring My Blessings

My Aunt gave me this picture a few years ago right around the time that I found out I was sick. She had heard about the symptoms I had been suffering and everything I was going through and so she sent me this sweet gift. It says, "Faith Makes Things Possible". Her gift touched my heart SO much! I felt seen and SO loved! There have been several times this year that I have looked around my room and just counted the things that have been given to me. God showed me just how much he has provided me, blessed me, and favored me. My cup truly runs over!!! Just like my aunt probably didn't realize the meaning her gift to me would have, I believe we often miss how deeply meaningful our generosity to others can be. God has a generous heart, and he loves a cheerful giver!!! It truly is more of a blessing to give than to recieve. Scripture says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6. Whatever we give away, we will receive even more of. In 2 Corinthians Chapter 8 it talks about how "In the midst of a very severe trial" the church's "overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity". Love knows no bounds, it will give it's very last to another for their benefit and survival over it's own. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends". Laying down your life, now that is truly generous. You see generosity might not look like you thought. Giving can consist of more than money and material goods. You can give time, energy, brain power etc... Think outside the box! This next passage from 2 Kings Chapter 4 teaches us even more...

The Widow’s Olive Oil

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. ...

I could understand if at first glance you would ask me "but what do I have to give? My bank account is low, empty, or overdrawn, my credit cards are maxed out, and I already don't know how I'm going to pay the light bill" but from this passage about the Widow I've learned to ask you to look again. What do you have in your hands? What do you have in your house? That which you have, that is the thing you can give.  And when you do give, you just might learn to trust God more, you might learn to take bigger steps of faith, you might learn God is faithful. Whatever you give, I am sure you will reap an abudent harvest. 
Luke 6:38"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Both gifts given and gifts received hold so much treasure for God's kingdom; a treasure that is worth far more than the measure of a coin. It is my prayer that you would be generous, especially in this season of generosity. Just start with one thing, give that one thing, and let God use it for His glory.