This morning on the way to church, we drove past a local coffee drive-through. Naomi asked me if I can buy her a bag of cookies. I said no, because each cup comes with a cookie anyway, and she had to have a proper brekky.
So we got a cuppa each and there were two cookies between us. As soon as I got my drink, she said, "mummy can I have your cookie too?" Being a nice mum I said "sure" and gave her my cookie. So she had two!
A few minutes later, I asked her, "Naomi, can I have a cookie please??" Straight away she said no. So I pleaded for it, and she finally said "okay, only half ok?"
I said, "If you give me one I can buy you a bagful!!"
Instead of giving me one, her response was ... "When???"
By that time I had in my mind 'geez man! This kid really know how to bargain with me, doesn't she?'
I said, "Tomorrow".
Even after that this is what she said, "Promise?????"
Hmmm... That probably shows how bad I am at keeping my promises, my own daughter doesn't even trust me.
In the end I said, "Nah.. don't worry Naomi, you can have them all". In my head I'm thinking, 'you failed the test!'
This is embarrassing to admit, but when it comes to giving, aren't we a bit like that as well sometimes.
Do you believe that God will provide? He is more than able to meet our needs and fulfil the desires of our hearts. But do we trust Him? Or are we a bit like my 6 y.o?? Asking when, how, and seeking for a written contract that God will provide for our needs if we give him what we have now?
God is the source of our living, our income, our health. He has blessed us with so many good things in this life. When it comes to giving back to Him, we can be a bit calculative. We want to make sure we will have enough for all our needs first, for eating out after church, or to fill petrol, or for tomorrow's coffee money, etc. and then we give Him the leftovers, the spare change.
If Naomi had said yes with a delightful heart the first instance I asked for that cookie, I would've given her the cookie back and give her the biggest kiss and bought her another bagful!! Simply because that act of giving, combined with generosity and love, it just blessed my heart so much. The fact that she loves that cookie so much yet she was willing to put her desires second in order to please me, that will drive me to want to bless her more.
It is the same with our Father in heaven. The Bible told us the following story:
Mark 12:41-44 NIV
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
When it comes to giving, God doesn't need your money. He doesn't need your spare change. He simply wants to be blessed by your heart's attitude, and He loves seeing you eager to please Him. Because of that He will be moved to bless you even more. Even without our gifts, God already wants to bless you anyway because He is our Father. Which father doesn't care about his child's needs?
So today I just want to challenge you.... Have you been giving to Him generously? Have you sacrificed anything in order to give? Have you been giving with a joyful heart in thanksgiving of what He has done??
Let's bless His heart and be blessed... :)
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