Giving part 1
Love is giving. So let's look at that for a few days. And let's start with Luke 3:10-11, " And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." What should we do? See a need and meet it. Live out of our abundance. Because notice--and this is important--John the baptist didn't say, "Give your coat away and freeze to death." He said, "If you have two coats and someone has zero... give them one. Now you have one AND they have one." I believe there is a lot to be said about ministering out of your hurt, or your weakness, or your experience. A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. If you've been through it, you know better than someone who hasn't. And if you've been through it, you know a way through it. A map is nice, but a guide who has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt knows the best way through. Sometimes because they've experience the worst way through. But my point is--it's not that hard to love people. It's not that hard to see a need and meet it. And, yes, sometimes people are too proud to show you what they need. Sometimes it takes a little work. Sometimes you have to build that connection. Find out where they're at and where they're coming from. But sometimes it's really simple. If someone is cold... they need a coat. If someone is hungry... they need some food. Basic human needs. And Jesus spoke about this a lot. Giving to the poor. That's what my son said I should Rant about today, so that's where we are. His heart has always been for those in need. If he sees someone begging on the side of the road he always wants to stop and help them. Give them something. That was on Jesus's mind and heart. A lot. For example, "Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the porr, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). If you want to be complete, or mature, or perfect... give to those in need. And giving to those in need--those who have nothing to give to you--is that pure, sacricial, agape, God love. It's giving simply because you have something to give. Giving simply because what you have will help someone else. Which, by the way, is what love is. Giving everything you have and everything you are simply because you have it and someone else needs it. Not worrying about what you get from it. Simply giving because you can. Think about that--in this world where people are obsessed with getting, getting, getting... taking, taking, taking... you can show a more excellent way. Freely you have received. Freely you can give. Once you have received... you have something TO give. And since it is the love of God that we are receiving, we have the best thing in existence to give! The thing that EVERYBODY needs. You can love unconditionally because you have what everybody needs. Like I said, it can take some effort to find the best way to love someone. But the other side of the coin is simply seeing a need and meeting it. If someone is hungry... feed them. If someone is cold and naked... clothe them. I've found that it is hard to hear a sermon and really get anything out of it if your stomach is grumbling because you heaven't eaten anything in a while. So we need to make sure to take care of people both physically and spiritually. And I'm telling you, when an empty stomach gets filled up... that can be a religious experience! That will really get someone's attention. That's the way to show people Jesus--by showing them love!