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October 4, 2007
Short Stories on Stewardship: An "Excess"ive Opportunity
Jerry Mixon, State Stewardship Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention, has been spinning stories this week about what he has learned as a pastor and denominational leader on the subjects of stewardship and giving.
Today's final short story reminds us that our excess is an opportunity to meet the needs of others. Everything changes when we preceive all that we have to be God's gift to us rather than what we are entitled to or due as a reward for our own efforts. And in the the act of giving we model the behavior of the generous God we serve.
An "Excess"ive Opportunity
Over the years it has been a puzzle to me how God has never given me so much that I could not receive it. Well, according to Malachi 3:10 that is the promise in the Bible. A promise that says God will open up the heavens and send so many blessings that you will not be able to receive them.
Then several years ago my mother-in-law passed away, and my wife and her sisters divided the inheritance. We had so much furniture and other items that we did not have room in our home to put them. What do you think we did with them? We gave most of it away to other family members. That is when it dawned on me. God had been giving me so many blessings over the years that He never intended me to store them up. His intention was for me to give them away. The purpose of His blessing me was so I could be a blessing to others.
A lady once said to me, “Have you ever wondered why you have extra money in your bank account?” My reply was, “Yes, so I can buy new golf clubs or get a new suit.” “Well,” she said, “I believe God gives us extra money so we can meet needs in the lives of others. Of course, God expects us to first meet the needs of our household. He also wants us to save, invest, and plan for retirement, but His intention is for us to be generous givers.”
One lady said to her friend that she was so depressed she could no longer feel the presence of God. She said, “I wish God would just reach down and touch me with His hand.” Her friend said, “We should pray and ask God to do that.” They bowed in prayer and afterwards the depressed lady said, “I felt His hand on my shoulder, but it felt a lot like yours.” Her friend remarked, “It was my hand. God just used the hand that was nearest you.”
When you and I have more than we need, God intends for us to share. Let’s become God’s hand in someone’s life today.
Posted by bstroup at October 4, 2007 1:28 AM
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