My dear friend Aimee is sharing this story on my blog today, and boy, is it powerful. Read on and be inspired by her words.
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if you had all the money in the world, would you be a philanthropist?
i would.
yes, i can honestly say that the more i have, the more i give. i know this because the more i am asked, the more i give, the EASIER it is to give. my giving has been tested. my heart-strings attached to money and things of this world have been cut.
money is of no use if it does not bring good.
i was not always this way.
my parents told me “poor stories”… can you relate? when they were really, really young and having babies… they had $1 left and my mom wanted frozen orange juice that costs .25 and it was a struggle to make that decision. they wanted more for us children. they wanted us to do more. to give more. by example, when we had so little, my parents gave. over & over. pleading for God to provide daily for our family of 6. relying daily. and He provided. a great story of faith BUT not one that i wanted to live.
long ago i decided i would never be poor. i did not want to own any “poor stories”.
so i saved. i went without. i said “NO!” a lot. i disregarded my desires and my wants to have more money saved… i wanted to have a cushion so when hard times come, and they come… that i did not experience them as harshly.
luke 12: 13-21
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.17 “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21 “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
what was i really doing? storing up for what?
i have learned out of obedience to tithe & give… my heart has softened. my soul was a caged bird looking to spread its wings. to love on others. to give. selflessly with joy and thanksgiving.
to give.
much is required of those with much. much is given to those that give. this may not be just finances… we are called to give.
to be the hands & feet & provide for those that need us. to love like Jesus loves. to seek His face. to give with joy.
are you willing? are you able? can you forgo something to give to someone in need?
my friend Andrea from the Train to Crazy & Go To Patterns is always giving back. of her time, of her resources, of her finances… her children give back. make things. sell wares to raise money. i am encouraged and humbled by this family and their desire to love on others — to love on them here, to love on them afar.
we have 4 days to make a difference… and it’s a challenge.
can you give $100? can you ask 5 friends to give $100?! let’s help a Safe House in Cambodia and a Sewing Project in India to rehabilitate mothers & children. READ MORE & DONATE HERE!
you are about to make an incredible difference.
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