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| Helping the homeless (Photo credit: Ed Yourdon) |
The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously...
Psalm 37:21
New International Version (NIV)
We are merely stewards of those things that are bestowed upon us. Your possessions are gifts from God. You are merely the money manager of what is in your bank account. Any of these material things to which you may lay claim can be taken from you at any moment. How much do you depend on worldly things?
There are many in this world who live in dire circumstances. Poverty. Hunger. Loneliness. There are probably some of these in your own community. Most of us have received help from others in our lives. Now is always the time to pay forward the blessings that we have received from others.
And all blessings ultimately come from God.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38
New International Version (NIV)
Great reminder, Arlee. This is something we should do all year, not just at the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI was reviewing my giving, earlier this year, as my financial circumstances have changed - so now I've also started volunteering at a 'homeless and badly-housed' shelter in town, serving lunches and making 'pack-up' meals to take away, with an organisation called HOPE4. They also run a winter night shelter - seven town centre churches (all denominations) work together to turn their church halls into a place of refuge for those who would otherwise sleep rough. It rotates round each church every day so there is always a place for a hot meal and a safe place to sleep. I think what gets to me most is that for at least a few months (the coldest, anyway) the guests have a safe place to relax and rest without fear of attack, theft or abuse.
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