Giving Tuesday!

Giving Tuesday is a day set aside to encourage giving back and to help others in need. A lot of emphasis is placed on financial giving. But what if we inventoried our giving a little deeper than that.

What if we reflected on what we were giving, not just financially, but of our whole self. Who and what are we giving too? Is it enough? Is it what God is asking of us? Are we taking on too much and giving more of ourselves when God has called us to ask for help?

Time - Oh how the enemy uses time and ways to waste our time, to distract us from what God is calling us to do. We think of our call as this giant thing, but it might be as simple as calling a friend, or sitting on the porch with a neighbor instead of scrolling social media or binging Netflix.

Talent - We live in a world of comparison, I think we often think we are never good enough. We have constant access to people we think can do the same thing better than us. The problem with that is God isn't calling us to be the BEST at everything, maybe anything. He's calling us to use the talent he gave us, where we have to use it. It's his strength and power that will do the rest.

Finances - We have endless ways to spend our money at the click of a button. Our entire sermon this past Sunday was on finances, and the "rich". As Americans, I think we often get our wants and needs confused. Again, comparison has made it easy to think we never have enough. Confusing our wants and needs, might make our budgets tighter and financial giving/ sacrifice less than they should be.

Home - I am so fortunate to have a home. However, I don't think God allowed us this whole house just for us to live in. It should be open to letting others in as well. This might be small groups, friend and family gatherings, and many other opportunities.

Community - We could live in absolutely any community, anywhere. Why has God placed you where you are? Your town, your neighborhood? How can you be a better neighbor? How can you serve in your community? How can you make your community a safer place for others?

Work - I'm pretty sure God did not place us in our jobs just to bring home a paycheck. Nothing is by coincidence. We are in the place of employment we are in, to serve Him. There are people there who need you. They may need to hear the gospel, but they may also need to see the gospel, they may need a friend, they may need a church invite, they may need just to be seen. You are where you are for a reason.

One of my favorite quotes to reflect on says, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. Erma Bombeck

I think about this on a smaller scale each night. Did I use everything God gave me to use today? Or did I keep a little in the reserves? Do I not trust He will provide again tomorrow?

It's like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. God provided exactly what they needed for each day. They were told not to store up for other days, but that God would provide just enough. (Exodus 16) He does the same for us, in all those above areas and more. He gives us just enough resources to accomplish whatever his will is for the day. He will give us strength, physically and mentally, He will give us financial resources, talent, time, and anything else we need. Just enough for each day, then we are to rest and he will give us enough for the next day.

Where could you trust God more to help you give back, or give more out of what he has already provided for you each day? It's a question I'm asking myself as well.