As Lent approaches, many people talk of what they will "give up" for Lent.
Some transpose the "giving up" into giving to other people. Some people do this through donations of things they no longer need.
Some may donate because they are on a clean up and clean out campaign.
Some may donate in the true spirit of wanting other people to have things they ordinarily might not have.
But are we willing to give more than just our "cast offs?" When we are deciding what to donate, do we ask God what we should give and to whom?
Do we recognize He owns everything, including what we consider our dearest treasures? Are we open to His Direction that may include giving away our treasures?
Are we willing to give to someone we feel does not deserve it?
Are we willing to give something we want, but can never have ourselves?
Would you pray for healing for someone else who has the same illness from which you have not been healed? Will you rejoice in their healing even if you are not healed?
Is this approach "sacrificial giving?" No. We are sacrificing nothing because we were not the owners in the first place. God was and is.
So He may let us hold things (or people) for awhile, but when He says it is time to move what is His to a new location, it is time.
We can thank God for the time we enjoyed what is His.
We can thank God for blessing those who will receive what we enjoyed.
We can open our hands and relax them from gripping so tightly what we did not want to give up.
We can be assured God, even now, is preparing Gifts to give us, some to enjoy for now and some to enjoy forever.
I invite you to consider with gratitude the treasures God has shared with you. Ask Him how He would like you to use them and share them.
Freely you have received; freely give!
Matthew 10:8
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21
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