May 23, 2013: Catching Up.../ Give Cheerfully!

I am privileged to be a part of a ministry which happens every Monday evening called Family Night. We go into an apartment complex community and host a church service. We start with prayer and singing, then dismiss the children for class. We have a Bible Study, altar call, then serve a light snack. Usually nachos. Sometimes we have beans and rice. Sometimes chili dogs. The food is all donated by the helpers and visitors. Once a month we have a special event (Easter Egg hunt, Mothers Day gift baskets, etc.) All donated supplies. What a privilege it is to work with givers! Of their time and resources! The time and money we give is going directly into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Bank! If we give to the poor without regard for getting anything back, we WILL be rewarded. There's joy in giving. I know. Because I experience this joy every Monday night.

Proverbs 19:17 - He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Luke 12:33 - Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:   

1 Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

2 Corinthians 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Luke 3:11 - He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Matthew 5:42 - Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

James 1:27 - Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Ephesians 4:28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Matthew 19:21 - Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

John 3:17 - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God gave us His very own Son. His very own flesh and blood. We must freely give back!

"Jesus, thanks for the opportunity to receive joy by giving freely to the poor. Not just my money, but my compassion. From my heart! Thanks that You've opened my eyes to see each and every person that walks through the doors on Monday nights. I almost feel like I'm looking at their soul! Through Your eyes! You've given me a fresh perspective! And I'm loving it! And I'm growing in You as a result of getting outside the walls of the church and into the streets. That's where You ministered, Jesus. Right out in the streets. Thanks for EVERYTHING, Jesus. I love You. I want a heart like Yours. AMEN."