“Radical Generosity” – Part II

Normal
0
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-style-parent:””;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;}

v”:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o”:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w”:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}

Normal
0
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-style-parent:””;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;}

continued
from “Radical Generosity” – Part I

There are a
few ways I wanted to channel the support I would receive directly:

1.      
Eliminate
my credit card debt.

2.      
Ensure
enough funds to continue sponsorship through Compassion International.

3.      
Have
some personal money to spend (mostly on postcards and the postage to send them
back to y’all).

Over and over again in the
Bible, I’ve seen that debt = bad.  So priority numero uno has been to lay
that plastic to rest and get that balance down to zero.  My friend’s gift
would’ve been superb in helping me do that quickly.

But as I read a brother’s
blog, inviting people to join in his ministry through financial support, I
immediately began praying and just as quickly felt led to give what I just
received to support my brothers and sisters.  While it would be good and
right for me to launch completely credit-card debt free, it’d be better if I
did my part to make sure the G-Squad in its entirety gets to launch ’cause
ohana means family, no one gets left behind [quick, name that Disney movie!]

I’m depositing my gift
tomorrow.  I feel burdened to give to five or six of my squadmates, but
God may have more in mind, so I will pray (but not too long, time’s of the
essence!) if there are more I need to share with.  At first, I thought,
I’m no math major, but an increase in the number of people would mean each
person would receive less.  I mean, what good would it really do if each
person got, I dunno, $1?  Yet I’m reminded of the boy who gave his little
loaves of bread and little fish to Jesus.

Those of us
who grew up attending church – and even those of you who are just that savvy –
know how that story ends…

I hope I
haven’t been preaching to the choir.  If you’ve already been partnering
with me or other World Racers, thank you – for giving and also for patiently
reading through this rant! 

This is
directed primarily towards those of you who are afraid to take that first
step.  It’s like this:  You’re about to go ziplining.  You’re strapped
in the harness.  The beauty of whatever natural setting you’re in
beckons.  You’re standing on the platform and all you gotta do is jump –
it won’t take much more than a hop to set you flying.

And I’ll end
(yes, for reals!) with one of the few instances in Scripture we see God invites
us to test Him (emphases added):

“I
am God-yes, I Am. I haven’t changed. And because I haven’t changed, you, the
descendants of Jacob, haven’t been destroyed. You have a long history of
ignoring my commands. You haven’t done a thing I’ve told you. Return to me so I
can return to you,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. “You ask, ‘But how
do we return?’

“Begin by being honest.
Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.

“You ask, ‘How have we
robbed you?’

“The
tithe and the offering-that’s how!  And now you’re under a curse -the
whole lot of you-because you’re robbing me.  Bring
your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my
Temple.  Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you
and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.  For my part, I will
defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens
against plunderers.” The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
 “You’ll be voted ‘Happiest Nation.’ You’ll
experience what it’s like to be a country of grace.”
 God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.

– Malachi
3:6-11 (The Message)

fin.