Giving

I don’t know about you, but I don’t really like being asked for money.

I’m not keen on being asked to give up my time and although I will often give of my experience and skill set when asked, this can be from a place of pride and self-importance.

You might be thinking, what am I doing in the church? After all, isn’t church about giving? Yes. I am talking about having a heart ready for the asking.

A heart that can say yes, but also no, sorry, not at this time. Not saying yes just because we have been asked, although asking for help is not a bad thing in and of itself. Not saying yes out of a sense of duty or because we don’t feel able to say no.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about giving less, I am talking about giving more. Spending more time reflecting and praying on how, when and where to give, so there’ll be a lot less asking because the giving tanks will be full! We should give as an overflow from our heart knowing that when we do that, it really is more blessed to give than to receive.  

So, I am spending more time considering in my heart (for me that is before God) what time, treasure and talent am I to give. So that I don’t feel robbed of anything, so I don’t get overcommitted, so I don’t feel put on the spot. Giving cheerfully and in good measure and from a pure heart not expecting anything in return and yet confident that the measure I use for others is the one God will use for me.