Words from the Rock
“I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you did not invite me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me nothing to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you did not care for me.”
Then those people will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or alone and away from home or without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see these things and not help you?” . . .
“Anything you refused to do for even the least of my people here, you refused to do for me.”
Matthew 25:42–45 NCV
Some people think that the more they keep for themselves, the richer they will be. Maybe that makes sense on some levels. But have you ever seen hoarders—people who refuse to get rid of anything? Their houses fill up until they can barely walk through the rooms or use the furniture. Yet many of them will go out and get even more stuff—hauling it in and piling it up until it’s truly a health hazard and firetrap. This kind of behavior seems crazy to most people, but a hoarder thinks it’s normal.
There are a lot of explanations for hoarders. Some reasons are complicated, but others are common—like insecurity, fear of poverty, or anxiety that they’ll run out of something or need something they’ve given away. In a way, it’s like not believing that God can and will provide for them. Instead of relying on God’s generosity, they are grabbing as much as they can and stuffing it into their homes. Not only is it impairing and dysfunctional, it’s exactly the opposite of how God wants us to live.
God generously gives us what we need, and he wants us to be just as generous to those around us—especially to those in need. God knows that when we give, we open ourselves up to receive. Like a river that needs to flow freely to stay healthy, we need to give freely to stay healthy. When we bless others with our generosity, it’s like we’re blessing Jesus.
My Prayer
Dear God,
Please show me ways I can be generous. Whether it’s with my time or my money or my friendship, let me give to others like I’m giving to you.
Amen.
Final Word
[If one’s gift] is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously . . . let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:8 NIV
Stone for the Journey
God wants his generosity to flow through me.