Test Our Sincerity
February 18
During a study on Galatians Chapter 6 and "reaping what you sow", our Middle School Bible class was challenged by a question which suggested how you would fair on a test of your sincerity in the area of selfless giving.
Today our students go on an annual skiing/snowboarding field trip, so yesterday the challenge/test was this...Say a mother walked in the school today and had great financial needs. She had no money left to buy food for her family and if she did not pay her rent that very day she would be evicted from her apartment. The suggestion was made that for each student to sacrifice going on the ski trip, and instead give the money which was for the ski trip to the mother in need.
The reactions were quite diverse. Two immediately said, "Absolutely give the money to the mother." The majority did a quick heart check and agreed the right thing would be to give the money, while one student's head was shaking negatively from the get go. My guess is he was thinking there would be other ways to come up with the money and not have to make the personal sacrifice. While that is probably true, I believe there are times our obedience to the Lord is tested and we are called upon to act in selfless ways. Many times the sacrifice which is requested is our time. Hmmm, then it is probably best to recall who controls our tickers! The truth is we always feel better when we give of ourselves.
Having the opportunity to be a blessing is a blessing!
Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
During a study on Galatians Chapter 6 and "reaping what you sow", our Middle School Bible class was challenged by a question which suggested how you would fair on a test of your sincerity in the area of selfless giving.
Today our students go on an annual skiing/snowboarding field trip, so yesterday the challenge/test was this...Say a mother walked in the school today and had great financial needs. She had no money left to buy food for her family and if she did not pay her rent that very day she would be evicted from her apartment. The suggestion was made that for each student to sacrifice going on the ski trip, and instead give the money which was for the ski trip to the mother in need.
The reactions were quite diverse. Two immediately said, "Absolutely give the money to the mother." The majority did a quick heart check and agreed the right thing would be to give the money, while one student's head was shaking negatively from the get go. My guess is he was thinking there would be other ways to come up with the money and not have to make the personal sacrifice. While that is probably true, I believe there are times our obedience to the Lord is tested and we are called upon to act in selfless ways. Many times the sacrifice which is requested is our time. Hmmm, then it is probably best to recall who controls our tickers! The truth is we always feel better when we give of ourselves.
Having the opportunity to be a blessing is a blessing!
Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
