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Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sharing God's Kindness
"When you give to poor people, don't announce that you are
giving. Don't do like the hypocrites do. They blow trumpets
before they give so that people will see them. They do that
in the synagogues and on the streets. They want other people
to give honor to them. I tell you the truth. Those hypocrites
already have their full reward. So when you give to poor
people, give very secretly. Don't let any person know what
you are doing. Your giving should be done in secret. Your
Father can see the things that are done in secret. And he
will reward you."
-- Matthew 6:2-4 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Giving to the needy has always been a hallmark of God's people. But the
goal of helping others is to bring honor to the name of the Lord, not
to develop a name for ourselves. We are to let our light shine so God
is glorified, not us. We are blessed with what we have because God
wants us to share with those in need. We are here to be conduits of his
blessings. Our sharing should be such an everyday part of life that we
don't even think about it, much less think about others noticing that
we did it. While it is not our motivation for caring, it is comforting
that God will not forget our deeds of kindness or the love we've shown
to those less fortunate.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and giving God, you are so generous with us, your children.
Father, please help us and especially please stir me to be more
generous with those in need. I confess that I find it easy to be
cynical, at times, with those in need. But after getting to know them,
their story, and their hurt, I know they need your love and blessings
as much as I do. Father, I also know that you have put me here to share
with them. So, dear Lord, please make me an instrument of your grace
and teach me to share what you have given me. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0308-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+6:2-4&sr=1&t=erv
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