Giving til it feels GOOD!

One of my favorite verses expounded by Kim...  Thanks Kim for the SUPER reminder!

"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing Joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints." 2 Corinthians 8: 2-4

Don't you find that to be true? Those who have less tend to be more giving?

And, this verse isn't just talking about having a little less than others, but "their EXTREME poverty welled up in rich generosity." Out of their extreme poverty they gave richly, from the heart!! They gave of themselves!!!! Wow, what a lesson we can learn, what an eye opener!! We hold on so tightly to what we have we can hardly pry our fingers loose!
How sad! How very sad that we don't want to take away from ourselves!!
The more we have, the more we want! The more we have, the more attached we become to our stuff!

These verses also aren't just talking about those in extreme poverty either, but those going through hard times and severe trials.
These suppressed people were giving out of their
OVERFLOWING JOY for the Lord!!!!!

Another reminder for us today, suffering brings JOY!!! When we are at our lowest...
... we can turn to the One who gives us Hope when things look hopeless,
... the One who gives us Peace during turmoil,
... the One who gives us Comfort during devastating times,
... the One who continually lavishes us with His Unconditional Love, when we feel
all alone!!!!!

We are able to be JOYFUL and GENEROUS whatever we are going through!!!
All Praise, Honor and Glory are His, for ALL He has done for us and for ALL that He is!

Father God, You have shared with us once again what is truly most valuable in our lives- Your Deep, Unconditional, and Passionate Love for us!!! Help us not get entrapped by stuff Father but by Your Children and their needs! Help us to share Your Breathtaking Love with them!

Even during the financial crisis going on, we may not have as much monetarily as we did last year but we still have much more than the majority of the people in the world! Help us to remember Father,... "Freely you have received, Freely Give!!!" (Matthew 10: 8b) As today's verses say, they richly gave from their extreme poverty and out of their severe trials! Help us to do the same!!!!

Father, please continue to be with and supply extra comfort to those experiencing painful memories during this beautiful, but emotional, time of the year! May they find their JOY and Peace in You!!!