We often think out of scarcity. That was the case with the four men with leprosy that we find in 2 Kings 7. They were in a hopeless situation and discussed the options they had:
- If they stayed where they were outside the city, they would die.
- Going into the city where the famine is, they would die.
- Going to he camp of the Arameans and surrendering they could be killed.
- But, maybe the Arameans would spare them.
The lepers finally decided the best choice was to go to the camp and take their chances. When they got to the camp, there was no one around. God had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a great army, so they fled and abandoned all of their possessions.
It was truly a day of celebration, but only they were able to celebrate. The lepers ate, drank, and carried off much clothing, silver and gold and hid the treasures.
This is where they began to think how wrong it was to keep all of this good news to themselves. So, they chose to go to the palace and report this to avoid punishment.
When we truly have gratitude, we don’t hoard the blessings, we share!
You become the the middleman of God’s goodness! What could be greater than showing others the goodness that God has for them.
Hoarding causes us to believe we’ll lose what we have, but for Christians, we do differently. The lepers were acting out of scarcity at first. Afraid of not having not having enough for tomorrow. But their minds shifted to having an abundance.
What are you holding onto out of fear? Or grief, doubt, or misery.
Sometimes we don’t give out of fear of losing what we do have. But 2 Corinthians 8 suggested that we should give generously according to our abundance.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. —2 Cor. 8:9
Gratitude compels us to share the Good News with others.
Where has God provided abundance in your life?
People need to see Jesus, not be told about him. When we are overcome with the love of God so much that we have to give it out, we’ve begun to give out of the abundance of His love.
Generosity is an act of faith. We trust in God’s provision. When we receive unexpected blessings, what do we do with those. It’s a danger to withhold blessings!
I today’ s takeaways are:
- Live out of gratitude: recognize where you’re holding back.
- Take in the abundance God has given you. Reflect on what God has done and give out of His abundance.
Look for someone to bless with your time or resources, patience, empathy or compassion.
If you realize all God’s given you, you can’t help but share. This should change us.
Where are you holding back?
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 