There's a lot going on in my life that I could blog about on this beautiful fall Monday...how about the Dixie Classic Fair (FUN!!)? Or, how Chris' truck got broken into while we were having so much fun at the fair (NOT so fun!)? Or, my latest baked item (Devil's food cake cupcakes filled with pink buttercream and topped with chocolate fudge)? Yes, all blog worthy topics but insignificant compared to what I need to blog about...
Generosity. I've thought a lot about this topic lately. Let's face it. I'm blessed. You're blessed. We are all extremely rich compared to most of the world. My first experience with extreme poverty came when I was 17 and traveled on a missions trip to the Virgin Islands. My heart was broken but not enough to really change how I lived my day to day life. Then, when I was 18 I went to Haiti for the first time. Talk about conviction. God began to show me His heart and break my heart for the things that break His. Ok, so I came back from this trip changed. But, I was in college and really had no money of my own, no real bills to speak of.
Fast forward 9 years to today. My financial situation has drastically changed. Now, I am married, have a full time job, and loads of bills that, yes, do have to get paid every month. But, God has made it clear that I have been blessed so that I can bless others (haven't we all??). I'll be honest, I worry about money just like everyone else. I think I "don't have enough" or "can't possibly give that much". But let me tell you an awesome story that put things in perspective for me recently:
On September 12th our church did a "reverse offering". Instead of collecting an offering, they actually gave money to each person in attendance that day. In total, they gave $12,000. There was one stipulation: you could not use it on yourself, you had to use it for someone in need. The stories that we have heard the past 3 Sundays have blown me away (think families taking $15 they received, adding $500 to it, and sending it to New Hope Pregnancy Care Center...you can visit blessed2bless4Him.com for more stories!). There are SOO many hurting people in this world, and right here in Forsyth County, and it is our job as Christians to be the hands of feet and Jesus here on this earth (refer to James 1:27, love it!). So, Chris and I took our $10, added some to it, and brought non-perishable food to the Clemmons Food Pantry to feed hungry and needy people. God has given both Chris and I a burden for those in need, especially children, and I'm excited to see what opportunities He will present to us to be His ambassador. So, here's my refreshed perspective on "my" money (but it's never really ours is it??):
Generosity. I've thought a lot about this topic lately. Let's face it. I'm blessed. You're blessed. We are all extremely rich compared to most of the world. My first experience with extreme poverty came when I was 17 and traveled on a missions trip to the Virgin Islands. My heart was broken but not enough to really change how I lived my day to day life. Then, when I was 18 I went to Haiti for the first time. Talk about conviction. God began to show me His heart and break my heart for the things that break His. Ok, so I came back from this trip changed. But, I was in college and really had no money of my own, no real bills to speak of.
Fast forward 9 years to today. My financial situation has drastically changed. Now, I am married, have a full time job, and loads of bills that, yes, do have to get paid every month. But, God has made it clear that I have been blessed so that I can bless others (haven't we all??). I'll be honest, I worry about money just like everyone else. I think I "don't have enough" or "can't possibly give that much". But let me tell you an awesome story that put things in perspective for me recently:
On September 12th our church did a "reverse offering". Instead of collecting an offering, they actually gave money to each person in attendance that day. In total, they gave $12,000. There was one stipulation: you could not use it on yourself, you had to use it for someone in need. The stories that we have heard the past 3 Sundays have blown me away (think families taking $15 they received, adding $500 to it, and sending it to New Hope Pregnancy Care Center...you can visit blessed2bless4Him.com for more stories!). There are SOO many hurting people in this world, and right here in Forsyth County, and it is our job as Christians to be the hands of feet and Jesus here on this earth (refer to James 1:27, love it!). So, Chris and I took our $10, added some to it, and brought non-perishable food to the Clemmons Food Pantry to feed hungry and needy people. God has given both Chris and I a burden for those in need, especially children, and I'm excited to see what opportunities He will present to us to be His ambassador. So, here's my refreshed perspective on "my" money (but it's never really ours is it??):
"The purpose of our money is not the good things we can GET, but the good things we can GIVE."
Great post Abbie! We truly are so rich compared to most of the world. I have to remind myself often that we should be comparing ourselves to those who have less than we do, not those who have more.
ReplyDeletePS-I would like to sample those devil's food cupcakes :)