Why Do We Give Others Our Leftovers?
Giving.
Giving is such a rich tool that we can use to advance the kingdom of God. But why is it so hard?
Giving can involve possessions, time, energy, and much more.
But how often do we just give others our leftovers?
This is where I am challenged. It is often AFTER I get everything else done, AFTER everything else is paid for, that I most often think of giving. Just being honest. I have really been trying to work on this over the past few years, but it is hard. Christ did not give me His leftovers – He gave me His life – His whole life – He even DIED for me. He did not hold back – anything. I want to reflect that.
God didn’t put me on this earth to be comfortable – comfortable in anything. He put me on His earth to reflect Him – to be an image of Him. Yet, there is this constant pressure to conform to a certain lifestyle or image – that is cultural, not Biblical. If you think about the culture with which we live in, giving is very counter-cultural. Culture screams narcissism – life is all about ME. Yet as Christians, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves – so if life is all about me, we need to all the more, make life about OTHERS.
Sometimes when you think of the needs of others and the world, it is overwhelming. So what do we do? A great place to start is to ask God to churn your heart. What brings tears to your heart and eyes? I think that is a GREAT place to start. If God is breaking your heart for the homeless – give to the homeless – of your time, possessions, and finances. If God is breaking your heart for orphanages in other countries – start there. I don’t think we should all give to the same places – I think God breaks each of our hearts differently – let’s listen to what He is saying. This comes out of the uniqueness in which God made us. Some have more time to give. Some have more finances to give. Ask God. Ask God to break your heart (sounds odd, doesn’t it?). We all have gifts. We all have SOMETHING to give.
I don’t want to give others my leftovers. Sometimes being uncomfortable is hard, but I know God works through the uncomfortable to bring about His will. Seek God and ask Him how HE wants you to give – and give more.
