"God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work" 2nd Corinthians 9:8
I used to live in a season of life, where no matter what, I was always looking for more. More money, more friends, more to life in general. I was never happy, or in a time of contentment. I could never "live in the moment", because I was always searching for what was next. Now looking forward to what's to come isn't bad. Its wishing you had more. What happens when we get out of a contentment, we start comparing. "They have this, and they just got what?!" is comparison. One of my favorite quotes say:
Comparison is the thief of joy.
It robs us of that opportunity to live in the moment we are in, with what God is currently supplying us with. Look, there will always be something bigger, something better, and something MORE. Sometimes though, what we have, and where we are is the bigger, better and MORE! We just don't recognize it because we are searching beyond that. Sometimes what we want, isn't quite what God has lined up yet. Yet, we still strive for these things. If you can't be content with what God has for you in the here and now, then you are showing that you can't appreciate what he is giving you. It's ok to see what God has in store for you, and to pray about those things! But if we are putting ourselves in a position where we are forcing things upon ourselves in hiding, then it is probably something we shouldn't' be doing. I could probably write a book on my own testimony for that. I remember when I was in college and living in my apartment, I would constantly be spending money. I'll tell you what, I was the queen of overdrafting my bank account, and maxing out credit cards. My mom would always tell me, "that's not free money you know! You're spending money that's not yours!" Who listens to their parents though really. :P Love you mom! I was spending way beyond my means for what I wanted, not necessarily what I needed. I had a decent control over my money, but I had little control over my shopping. One of my problems around Christmas, was that I loved to buy for people. I would spend some major money on my family! Thank you Amazon for your free shipping at Christmas. But it became a struggle, because at the end of the season, I had no money. I felt good about getting my family gifts, but I also knew I had a bit of a problem. If there's one thing that has helped me control my money, and helped me out with that, it's my husband. Seriously, he walked in on a broke, highly in debt woman. He got me under control though and settled me out good. I could tell you more stories, but then my book might be titled, "The irresponsible woman of debt." :P I can tell you these stories though, because I have overcome those things! Not that I don't buy Christmas presents anymore, I just don't go overboard. That's what life is though. Here's the awesome thing though. We don't need all those presents and fancy things, because God gives us enough!! MORE than enough!! He supplies all of our needs! So dont just focus on the wants. He will supply them in due time.
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amound you get back." Luke 6:38
This is by far one of my favorite verses on giving! When you really get into this verse, you have to picture it. I think about when I'm baking. When you have your measuring cup, and you press it down, shake it together, press it down more and make it perfectly level. But, this is saying, running over pouring into your lap! Overflowing!! In this verse in Luke, it's saying that your amount you give will determine the amount you get back. To me, this isn't just about filling the bucket on Sunday morning, but what you are doing. If you are rude to the cashier at the grocery store, don't expect to get much back from your neighbor! If you volunteer to trip hedges, and rake but only do half of the hedges, and not rake, then don't expect it back in return. God is putting it all in, giving us ALL we need; overflowing, so why cant we give him ALL of us?? He doesn't call us to be stingy, he calls us to be generous. I want to be able to pour out everything God is putting inside of me. If I keep it all to myself, there will never be room for anything else. Now that's not to say you should put yourself all out there, there is a time for privacy. I know that giving God my all is something I need some serious work on. I can't tell you I wake up in the morning, and say I'm all yours God! Should I? Yes! We should daily give ourselves to Christ! Its that easy!!
Just a thought....
What if we woke up everyday, and the first thing we did before we even sit up, or roll out of bed if that's your things, is ask God, "have your way with me today." What if we started first thing giving our day to God. Our time, our love and our talents. Well, and if you have problems with your money like I used to, give him that too. He wants ALL of you! Think about all you could pour out throughout the day to others, when we give it away. The thing is, once we give ourselves away, we have an amazing opportunity to put others first.
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptaion, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
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