Don't Forget the Poor but...

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

Many donate to non-profit charitable organizations or the homeless. Before you do the same (or if you already do this...the next time you should donate) consider the following:

The apostle Paul lets us know of the philosophy of Christian giving - with Jesus Christ being in the middle of the picture. He discusses the goal of giving and the ideal attitude of the givers.

DO NOT give because it's simply the right thing to do.
Do NOT give because you're under pressure.
Do NOT obligate yourself to giving a certain amount. BUT...

GIVE because you feel the calling.
GIVE because it's your decision.
GIVE because you TRULY want to make a difference.

Even though money is money and it doesn't have something written on it that says whether or not you seriously meant what you gave, GOD KNOWS. Give from your heart. That's what he wants!

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” ~Kahlil Gibran

"Heart of Worship" is a good song that goes along the lines of today's discussion...just being a "true" Christian in general.



P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.

P.P.S. I thought it was funny that this was the headline on the front page of the Port St. Lucie News this morning "Retailers bet on you to save their season" after what I talked about yesterday. If you haven't read yesterday's devotion yet, you should.