| Original Date: December 9, 2009 |
| Email Subject: It is returned.... |
Dear Friends,
I have learned over the years that expecting reciprocal giving is not the best motive for giving to others. I have to laugh because in my natural state, which by the way I have to guard against more than I really like to, when I would give something to someone I would expect them to give something in return, hopefully I am far past that now, but.....
There is one principle in the book of Proverbs that does tell us that when we do what it says we will have it returned to us. Read with me out of the NLT from Pr. 11:25b, "those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." I have really seen this lived out many, many times friends. I cannot tell you how often I have gone into a hurting persons hospital room or their home to encourage them and I end up getting encouraged either by the patient or by someone else there that day. When the kids were with us we each Christmas season looked for hurting people that were not necessarily apart of our Church body and took them some of what they needed. I have watched time and time again that setting out to do something good for someone, God always has a way in returning that to us in someway, shape or form. Now the important thing is that I don't expect or desire that return refreshment.
I must always focus on the fact of keeping my motive pure which is to honor the One that gave so much to me from Salvation by grace through faith in Him to the promise of eternal life in Heaven with Him and all other Christ followers. Why should I not want to be a part of the "refreshment crew" when understanding the magnificence of who He is for us and what He has done on our behalf.
This Christmas season and by the way for the rest of our lives make it a daily practice to "refresh" someone with words of encouragement or praise or a needed gift. Do random acts of kindness when know one knows who did it or where it came from other than God (by the way that is good enough). Watch with me the many different ways true and meaningful refreshment returns back to us when we do this.
Have a generous and prosperous day my friend,
Pastor Doug |
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