8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This
most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for
your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you
can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God,
wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way,
producing with us great praise to God.
12-15 Carrying
out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the
bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful
thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your
very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the
plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through
your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really
toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your
lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for
whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can
praise it enough!The Message
Do you ever have a week where it seems that God is really trying to tell you something because many of the things you read, the songs you hear, and even the commercials you watch seem to all have the same message? Well, that's me this week. And the word? Cheer.
After reading about being a "cheerful giver" yesterday, I was flipping through the December issue of Real Simple and came across this fact: "[There are five] elements that add up to "Christmas spirit," reports the Journal of Consumer Marketing. Researcher Peter Clarke asked 450 adults which words they associate with the concept, then grouped their answer into categories: bonhomie, gay abandon, ritual, shopping, and dejection."
Okay, first of all, one of the largest categories was dejection?! That means that many, many people are feeling low and depressed around this time of year. What a great reminder for me as I engage with people this holiday season -- not everyone is happy and gay this time of year, and there were a couple years recently where I wasn't either. That's something I need to remember. And secondly, bonhomie?! Who is this guy? What the heck does that word even mean?
So Josh and I spent a few minutes trying to figure out how you'd even pronounce it, let alone what it meant, and finally resorted to a dictionary.
bonhomie-- bon·ho·mie [bon-uh-mee', bon'-uh-mee; Fr. baw-naw-mee] :: noun ::
frank and simple good-heartedness; a good-natured manner; friendliness; having cheer.
Did you see that last one? Having cheer! We do associate cheer with this time of year. Much of the cheer comes from knowing we will be receiving presents; we get to decorate our house; we get to eat more than we should and not feel guilty. But don't worry, I'm not all Scrooge. I do think that many people are just in a good mood, a mood of cheer! I know I tend to give a little more grace to people in the parking lot "because it's Christmas time," and I tend to reach out to others more than I normally do "because it's Christmas time," and I look for ways to give "because it's Christmas time."
And even though the secular world doesn't realize it, they are finding 'good cheer' doing exactly what the Bible promised would bring them cheer!
Just as the verses above tell us, "be generous in every way," "meet the bare needs of the poor," "live at your very best," "show gratitude," and give cheerfully!
That is the true spirit of the season, and it is centered on Christ Himself, for He has done all of these things for us and more.
The paradox is that if we want to receive, we must give away. If we want to feel joy and cheer this holiday season, we must give and sacrifice for others.
As we are with our families this Thanksgiving weekend, we need to be looking for ways to serve them, to be generous, to show gratitude, and to meet their needs in whatever ways we can....even Uncle Whats-his-name who drives us crazy and Cousin Whats-her-face who is so selfish. Even them.
Vs. 12: Carrying
out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the
bare needs of (people). It also produces abundant and bountiful
thanksgivings to God.
Well, lookie there. Thanksgiving. Our meeting the needs of others, will produce true Thanksgiving.
My sister Haley is a testament to what our actions can do. While she was in Africa a few years back, God changed her heart. My three sisters and I were majorly selfish sisters, I'd say, looking to please ourselves and serve ourselves in our little family...until Haley came back from Africa. She returned with a tattoo on her arm written in Hebrew. I can't remember what the actual word is, but upside-down it looks like soynog. But it means servant.
But I didn't need the tattoo to tell me that -- she was different. If someone wanted her comfy seat on the couch, she gave it up. If someone wanted a drink, she would go get it. If someone was cleaning up dinner, she was there helping dry the dishes. And...she was always cheerful.
I remember watching her example that summer when she returned, seeing that something big was happening. And I wanted to be like her. She didn't have to tell us what God did in her heart over there on the other side of the world...it was evident in her actions and her joy.
If we want true holiday cheer this season, we have to be a soynog. We have to be servants. If we really want to receive this holiday season 2012, we have to give away -- our time, our money, our seat on the couch. Whatever we can offer, do. And see if this holiday season isn't your most cheerful one yet!
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Molly Monroe
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