Joyful Giving

Joyful Giving

 

God has given us so many blessings.  Some of us more than others.  Some people are blessed with talent.  Some of us are blessed with money.  Some of us are blessed with time and some with resources.  How ever we are blessed, whether, with little or much, we should use those blessings to bring God glory and to help those who need help.  We may not always be able to help people but when we can we should. 

 

Pastor John, went to the grocery store to buy groceries for a widow woman from their church.  She was shut in and had no family to help her.  Though Pastor John had very little money to spare, he was willing to show his love and care.  He was talking to God from his heart.  He asked God to provide not only his own financial needs but also to help him be able to help people in need, like the widow woman from their church.    

 

Almost immediately, Pastor John could hear young children exclaiming, “Look mom there’s Pastor John!”  the children then ran to greet him with joy.  Their mother, Ann Whistler, smiled.  Pastor John greeted them and proceeded to tell them he was there to pick up groceries for Widow Beth Mentor, who had lost her husband six months prior.  Ann felt sadness as Pastor John told her about Widow Beth.  She bowed her head in thought, then She reached into her purse and pulled out $20.00 to donate to the grocery fund. 

 

Little Anna Marie was upset, she remembered her mother telling her she didn’t have enough money to be spending it on candy.  When they left the store Anna Marie complained to her mother about the $20.00.   “We will talk about this tonight, Anna, when we have our devotions.”, Her mother said. “ I do not understand why you gave away $20.00 when Dad’s been laid off from work." frowned Anna.

 

During devotions that night:

Anna’s mother opened her bible to four separate verses.  She then read a story about giving with joy.

“Joyful Giving Gives You Joyful Living.” “I chose these four verses to read to you.”  Her mother started teaching.

"The first verse is out of the book of Proverbs, Proverbs 31: 20 says, She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  The bible teaches that a virtuous woman will help the needy. When she can, she should.  Even if it means sacrifice on her part.

 

 Another verse we should pay attention to is a reminder to people that helping others is God’s way.  Sometimes people can take advantage of this, so we need to pray about who we help.

God will not hear our prayers of need, if we do not hear the cries of the poor.  Proverbs 21:13 says - Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.  God wants us to give cheerfully to Him in our Tithes and offerings.  Making a donation, to the grocery fund, at the church, is an offering unto God.  Just as giving to missions is an offering to God.

 

This final verse has to do with the attitudes of our hearts.  God doesn’t want you to give to him because you have to.  He wants you to give to God with a cheerful heart of I want to - because I love God. 

2Corithians 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. 

The bible says if we are not giving to God of our tithes and offerings then we are stealing from God:

 Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

For our lives to be truly blessed by God, we must give to God in tithes and offerings.  If God has blessed us, we must bless God in return, by giving to him out of love and devotion."

 

Anna's mother tucked her into bed and prayed that her children would grow up to be cheerful givers and that the Lord would bless their lives.   Anna also prayed for all her family and thanked the Lord for all their many blessings.  

 

Susan Y Nikitenko

August 21, 22, 2021©

Story Lesson

 

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Faith To Try - Part 1 and Part Two Completed

Part 1:  Faith To Try

Amber wanted to volunteer for the August Arts Festival Program.  The homeschool was putting a Christian presentation together for grades K-6^th.  Amber was in 3rd grade.   She was selected to recite Psalms 100.  The theme of the festival was “The American Indian theme, combined with a Christian perspective.”   Amber felt afraid right away.  She was afraid to make a mistake and did not want to recite the verses.  Other kids from the 3^rd grade class refused in fear of messing up as well.  None of them wanted to volunteer for reciting Psalms 100.

In response, the teacher selected a lesson about faith.  The lesson was about Peter walking on the water.

Amber listened intently because her teacher was very good at telling stories.  Especially real stories from the Bible.  Amber could almost see herself walking on the water, then becoming fearful of the winds and the storm.

Their teacher told the story so well that all the children sat in suspense and they all became calm as the storm was calmed by Jesus.

The teacher asked, which one in our story today made the biggest mistake?  One of the other children named “Matty, quickly responded.  “Peter”.   “Why do you believe that it was Peter who made the biggest mistake?  Asked their teacher.  Then Patty answered shyly, “Because he was afraid?”” He lost trust in Jesus!”  Joey spoke loudly. 

Their teacher cleverly answered, “Actually Peter did have faith.  The ones that didn’t even try, they showed no faith.  They wanted to stay in the boat but Peter wanted to do great things like walk on the water.  One of the greatest mistakes any of us can ever make is letting fear keep us from even trying.

Sometimes people can harshly criticize others for making mistakes and those watching will never try.  They become fearful of being treated the same way.  We should try our best but if we mess up.  We should be happy in knowing we had faith to try.  

Susan Y Nikitenko August 15th, 2021 ©  Story Lesson

 Part 2: Do Not Let Fear Outdo Your Faith.

After a few days passed, Amber’s mother talked to her about being willing to recite Psalms 100 for the festival activity.  Her mother talked to her about great people in history.  People who wanted to do great things.  Some of them failed many times, but they did not give up.  Great things were discovered because they wouldn’t let discouragement stop them.  We wouldn’t have the light bulb today.  We wouldn’t have some of the cures we have today.  We would not have many of the conveniences we enjoy today if there were no people who were willing to fail in order to learn.  We must have the faith to try.  Amber and her mother prayed. 

Amber called Mrs. Hall who was in charge and agreed to recite Psalms 100.  She studied and prepared.  Then the time came to stand before an audience of strangers.  She began to pray in her heart, “Father in heaven please help me.”   She took a deep breath and walked up to the microphone.  With confidence in her voice, Amber recited her lines. Her teacher only had to prompt her one time.  Here is what she recited:  

Psalms 100:1-5 KJV

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture

 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

Mrs. Hall smiled and Amber’s mother was as happy as she could be.  Even though Amber made a mistake, she felt joyful that she did not let fear keep her from trying. 

 

 Amber will probably know Psalms 100 for the rest of her life and will remember not to let her fear outdo her faith.  She will probably always remember Peter walking on the water and how he looked away from Jesus.  He could not walk on water without Jesus, He cried for help and Jesus stretched out his hand.  He stretched out his hand, just as he does to all of his children who call for his help. 

 

He saves those who want to be saved.  His hand is reached out to you.  Will you take his hand.   If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Saviors today.  Would you raise your hand so I know to pray for you? 

 

Susan Y Nikitenko ©

August 22^nd 2021

Story Lesson

 

 

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.