Did you give of yourself today?
Did you hold back because you were angry? Did you hold back just because you were tired of giving? Did you just walk away and say no more to an individual?
Is there a line in the sand?
Second Corinthians 9:6-9..This point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and the one who sows bountifullly will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for G__ loves a cheerful giver. And G__ is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor, his righteousness endures forever.”
Poor in Spirit refers to our relationship with G__; however, it can also refer to our fellow workers, our brothers and sisters, who are hurting.
Is someone hurting in your workplace? Did you forget yourself today and become a servant to those in need? Did you remember your blessings and give from the heart or was there some ulterior motive behind your action?
Did you impress your boss today? Your owner? Your stockholders? Did you share your heart with someone today?
Are we even aware that there are others around us? How big are our blinders?
To live abundantly is to be a true servant to all. Luke 12:15….And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”
Do you have an abundance of compassion? Did you hug your child today even though a terrible wrong was done? Did you tell a fellow worker that it was OK but that it would be better the next time? Did you walk away from a situation which could have become volatile? Did you smile at the grocery clerk today? Did you allow someone to go in front of you even though you may have been in a hurry?
Luke 14:12…He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righeous. Here again, noticeably the physical traits are mentioned but what about the personal traits of loneliness and neglect?
Abundant living is never expecting anything in return, as your heart is grateful. Abundant living is as natural as breathing and requires no thought. Abundant living is thanking your maker every single day for the blessings you have received and asking how can you use these blessings to help someone today.
John 7:38…and let the one who believes in me, drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”
Abundant living is a believing heart that flows with kindness and goodness. It is a heart that knows no boundaries. It is a heart that, when death comes, rests from its labors in service to others for a lifetime.
Remember the hourly worker, remember the unemployed, remember the guy in front of you who is driving a clunker at less than the posted speed in the passing lane , remember the lady who made a right turn from a left lane without signalling, remember the person who cut in front of you in line, remember the worker who came to work late without calling, remember your children whose grades were not quite what the should have been, remember your spouse and the love that made you want to be with that person your entire life, and yes, remember the real you and look into the mirror and start to make a difference in your own life.
Psalms 72:12. For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
In your abundant living, did you deliver someone today from the depths to the heights?
Now that is a story for another day.
Blessings.