“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never have enough” Oprah
Image courtesy of flagstaffotos.com
So true.
Generosity… and so we begin the season of giving.
The true sign of generosity is in giving something of value. (Click to Tweet)
What do we value? For most of us these two choices are somewhere near the top of the list:
- Time – tick… tock… time keeps moving. Want more? Afraid you’ll run out? Well, this just depends on perspective, since we’re offered freely an eternal supply of time, right?
- Money – Or possessions. Our stuff. Makes me think of the Oprah quote above…
Here’s another thought to throw into the mix…
- Love – We like this warm feeling that we think of as love. Is it really a feeling? I read recently that unconditional love is actually a choice. I like that.
Giving is a choice, too, and a reflection of love. Choose to give this holiday season. (Click to Tweet)
So I was reading through my Bible trying to come up with some good scripture to tie in with this. You know what I found?
Reflection… and one big bouncy house.
Hmmm, one big bouncy house in the Bible?
Yep, that’s right!
How’s that, Chris?
Check out 2 Corinthians 8: 3-8. Paul is writing about these faith-filled folks who loved their fellow believers and encouraging them to give generously. The people of that time appeared in some ways to be similar to our world today. True christians didn’t fit in, they clashed with their environment. There were all kinds in the cast of characters… even among the strong believers were false teachers, corruption, and every conceivable sin. Lots of choices for the average person in Corinth. Things were messy there, in Corinth. Things are messy here too, in our world today.
Here’s the desire on God’s part, and working through Paul: To conform us to the likeness of Jesus. Our generosity as believers is a reflection of Jesus, and an attractive draw, bringing new people into the big bouncy house.
Is the bouncy house really cool? Dude, bouncy houses are not stop giggly fun! Have you been in one recently? I love the freedom that I find in the bouncy house… I can attempt a flip without (too much) fear of getting hurt. Bouncy house fun multiplies exponentially when we add other fun-loving people. Is this sounding like belonging to the body of believers? It does to me.
So, do you want to get in the Big Bouncy House? Sweet, because everyone can jump right on in. Everyone? Yep, this gig is open to everybody. I’m no more entitled, qualified or destined than you or the next. The door is wide open at this bouncy house. I like that idea, of how the people in the big bouncy house resembles the body of believers.
Boing!!
What do you think is the messy thing about Corinth, or the world today? What do you think of when it comes to being generous?
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Brandon for stopping by!