Passing It Along!

I have come across people who loved to get free stuff, not because they needed it or wanted to use it, but because they could turn around and sell it to someone else, thus making a one hundred percent profit on what had been FREELY ACQUIRED. Perhaps some might consider such individuals as brilliant entrepreneurs. Others might view them as not displaying a very generous or giving spirit by collecting and not FREELY passing on to those who might have need or use of the items.

When Jesus sent the twelve disciples out on what has been referred to as the limited commission (in contrast to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20), they were empowered to do some mighty works that would accompany their message of the coming kingdom. As they had FREELY RECEIVED, they were to FREELY GIVE. ( Matthew 10:8) Do we view what we have received from God in the same way?

Life is filled with challenges of both a physical and spiritual nature. As we experience these we look to God for His comfort, deliverance, guidance, and strengthening. We recognize these as blessings and if we are honest about it we will admit they are not blessings we necessarily deserve. God has graciously given us many things. Living to please Him is one way we reveal a genuine appreciation for His FREE GIFTS. However, another way is to willingly extend them to others.

In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth we read…
“(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and GOD OF ALL COMFORT, (4) WHO COMFORTS US in all our affliction, so THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT those who are in any affliction, WITH THE COMFORT WITH WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED BY GOD.” ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)

God blesses us because He loves us, but He also desires for us to in turn bring blessing to the lives of others. Having received comfort we are enabled to extend it to others as well. Because we have received mercy we are expected to be merciful. ( Matthew 18:33) Because we have received forgiveness we are to be forgiving. ( Matthew 6:14-15) Especially here, Jesus pointed to the personal profit received in the giving of forgiveness.

Willingness to FREELY GIVE what we have received is an acknowledgement that we have received it and how much we appreciate what God has so FREELY GIVEN to us. May that spirit be well and alive within us as we go about our daily activities.

Have a great day FINDING THE PROFIT OF A GIVING SPIRIT!
Carl

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