To Give

What does really mean to you that the things you have are not your own, but are God's. Do you really believe that. Often times we look at children when one takes a toy from another and see them yell "that's mine". We may or may not still get in those little arguments over 'stuff" but I think we often do that with God. We feel we have earned our stuff whether it be our time (I've earned a break), our money (I worked hard for this), our things (I really want it, everyone else has one). It's not that all those things are somehow inherently bad, but they can easily distract us from what should be our giving nature. Because I didn't grow up in the church regular giving was never part of what i was taught. I still catch myself feeling a sense of being entitled to things. In reality I wouldn't have those things without having received them. Look at your stuff. Break your stuff (and stuff you want) into categories... needs, desires, luxuries, and treasures. Its ok for things to fit into more than one of those categories. If you establish a pattern of giving now, it will stick with you and become part of your life. Getting rid of excess can be tough at first but incredibly liberating afterwards. Not just because it helps someone else but because it removes something that might be getting in the way. I heard a story last night of a child who gets $2 allowance and gives a quarter of it away. Its really not about the quantity. That's not just some nice saying. That's NOT what matters. What matters is that you recognize the source of your gifts and give thanks by giving back. This applies to all areas of your "stuff". Those of you with income should be giving some away. 10% is what Scripture tells us is the standard, it should really be viewed as the minimum. Additional financial giving should really be coming out of the other 90%. The reason God gave us a percentage instead of a number is that its all-inclusive. What are the treasures, desires and luxuries that can be used to serve others? Giving is one of those areas that makes us uncomfortable because as a society we have made it so individual. As part of the Church we are called to used that which we are blessed with to serve. How are you doing that?