Generous Living Vs. Arrogant Allusions

For some of us, our inability to live generously is not as a result of lack but ignorance

If you take a moment to ponder over this, you would come to see that there is indeed some truth to the statement above. Most times we are just not sensitive enough to the plight of others, and do not make a conscious effort to think about people other than ourselves.

If this picture painted here somewhat depicts your disposition to others, it doesn’t automatically mean that you’re a bad person or that you are selfish, even though amateur research has shown that there is a rather thin line between putting self first and being selfish.

As our faces are different, so also are our needs

People experience life and its tribulations in varied degrees, therefore, your lowest point might be another folk’s highest achievement. Don’t be quick to resolve that you can’t help a person considering you haven’t solved any/all of your problems.

It might not cost an arm and a leg to change the fate of a kith and kin, or to establish a beacon of hope in that family by merely training a child through school. I know many-a-times, I have considered helping someone and thought to myself that I might not be able to afford it, or be consistent at it. Why? Because I already have an idea of how my life should play out, what certain things should cost and I am usually inclined to extend that same quality of help to others, but in truth, they would be more than grateful for the opportunity, regardless of cadre.

Nothing beats giving another person a fighting chance at life; a focal point, from whence to take off – Meka

I shouldn’t fail to point out that this post was birthed in church yesterday and sermons like this are part of the reasons I love Family Worship Centre, Abuja (FWC). I was so moved by the sermon, and awed by how ignorant I had been in the past, so I thought to share it with you all.

Why are we called to generous living?

One major reason is because it is the nature of God to be generous, and our lives here on earth should reflect it; basically, that is what being a true Christian entails: Christ like.

Another good reason is because it brings about thanksgiving and blessings. We all know that the power of thanksgiving to God cannot be over emphasized. Why? Primarily because we have been instructed in the bible to do so and basically, for the logical ones amongst us, it brings about results.

It is in our best interest to be reminded that everything we have is a gift from God, and without being grateful (thankful), we tend to become self centered and arrogant; alluding achievements to personal effort, and leaning solely on our own understanding.

How can we start to live generously?

This can be achieved by simply taking the initiative. You don’t have to wait for people to ask for help, instead try to be sensitive enough and meet them at the “point of their needs”

Remember praying to God number of times in the past to meet you at your point of need? Be that for someone else.

You have to really care about people or someone to know exactly where it bites the most.

Another good way to go about it is to expect nothing in return.

This is fundamentally because when expectations are not met, it can hamper the zeal to go on; It’d feel exactly like putting in so much effort and getting no commensurate results.

How to live generously?

Be content.

If you never feel what you have is enough to begin with, it would be very hard to convince yourself that you can afford to think about anyone other than yourself.

You would keep thinking about your immediate expenses and making sure that your future is adequately taken care of.

Why are you allowing fear limit you from all you can do for God’s glory?

The Silver is mine, and the Gold is mine says the Lord of hosts

Do you see now that we are merely Caretakers/?

Let’s not forget that all we have is a gift from God and He blessed us for a reason; we were blessed and allowed to live a fruitful life, so that we can in turn be a blessing to a host of others.

We weren’t blessed just so we can hoard it and in turn, make sure that our families have more than they could possibly need.

*& if you feel you have nothing to give just yet and I mean things of monetary value, remember that God deposited a few intangible gifts that count just as much too: your time, your mind and God given talent.

This post has taken too long so I’m going to end it rather abruptly, with a quote from IDontKnowWho

If He is sure it would get through you, it would get to you.

_ WS _

The 23rd Psalm

Photo Credit: Google.com

This is an eye opener; some probably never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way, even though they say it over and over again.

The Lord is my Shepherd
That’s Relationship!

I shall not want
That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters
That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That’s Guidance!

For His name sake
That’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil
That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me
That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
That’s Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil
That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over
That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
That’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
That’s Security!

Forever
That’s Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. God has seen you struggling with something. God says its over. A blessing is coming your way.

I want to be mistaken for JESUS

Few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago .. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night’s dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding…

ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did.

The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?” She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, “I hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly.”
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, “Mister….” He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, “Are you Jesus?”
He stopped in mid-stride …. and he wondered. He gently went back and said, “No, I am nothing like Jesus – He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place.
“The girl gently nodded: “I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are like Him – only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for hearing His call, Mister.”
Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: “Are you Jesus?”

Do people mistake you for Jesus?
That’s our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It’s actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and I up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

****

I came across this on a friend’s Facebook page and thought to share, for i have more times than one, thought about being such a blessing to someone that i’d be answering a prayer of theirs. BUT I never get around to doing that. It’s either i’m in such a hurry or want to do my good deeds in a big way, and as such never get around to it. (Procrastination)

It’s the little things that matter.

You don’t have to always reserve those dead N10 or N20 notes for the beggars you pass by in traffic, I try and I can say i feel fulfilled knowing I have given them enough for at least one meal of the day and anything else they get is extra. There are a lot of people in need of a blessing from God and the earlier we see ourselves as agents of His transforming love, we’d find out that more people’s needs are being met.

Let’s be a blessing to someone today, and always. I want to be mistaken for Jesus. How about you?

Please share this, IF you feel led to do so.