How to Live in Reverse
Soul Snack 130/14 ... Recently I witnessed an anonymous,
humble act of financial generosity from arguably the most selfish of all God's creatures, the teenage male. This teenager slept well that evening, he had an extra measure of grace and peace on his heart. He was blessed.
There are many paradoxes in life. You can't lose your anger by letting it go. Greed does not necessarily give wealth. And the Apostle Paul taught, (contrary to world opinion) that I am actually happier when I am not getting; another demonstration of the ‘reverseness' of the Christian life.
It is more blessed to give than receive. (Acts 20:35b)
I choose to give when I do not choose for greed.
I choose to get by not choosing for my need.
I choose to gain by giving away.
I am actually favored by not keeping for myself - YEP even if my need is enormous.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ (Luke 21:1-4)
I genuinely cheat myself when I withhold from God. But, it is so much easier to agree to this than do it.
To withhold from God also misunderstands the nature of possessions and pennies. To withhold can be to my peril for He owns all.
Possessions and pennies come to me as a heavenly loan. I then return it to Him by 'paying it forward'. God then gives again. This is the reverse gift. With-holding takes me out of God's blessing cycle. Then, there is no reverse gift.
Yes, I simply am blessed by not keeping. I guess the proportion of my blessing is in direct proportion to my not keeping (giving away).
We reap what we sow, the divine law of reciprocity! God gives to us in reverse. His call on us is to be a river not a reservoir, to be a giver and not to be greedy.
You can't outgive God.
The wise steward will now seek God to reveal to him their heart.
Today's Soul Snack:
"When in doubt pray it out." - Ken Smith
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