"Wonder"

There’s a wonder to life’s living,

That happens when the giving,

Outweighs all the blessings we receive.

Blessed far the giver,

A generous, deep river,

There’s so little doubt if you believe.

But that is just the question,

Can we make the confession,

That we are most concerned about our get.

To step by faith and sow it,

The seed so you can grow it,

And then trust in the Lord to hedge your bet.

What we give in mercy,

May cause a controversy,

‘Cause there are those who wait till you deserve.

But quite extraordinary,

Are those who are not wary,

But randomly distribute grace and serve.

Life is full of wonder,

But not if you are under,

The burden of the selfish, stingy soul.

It can be so exciting,

With happiness uniting,

If we learn to make giving our goal.

“Give and you will receive…” (Luke 6:38, NLT)

When is life the best? Is it when you get everything you want? Some believe that. But I have seen some who got it all, but still were not happy. Why? Because true happiness does not come that way. Don’t get me wrong. It’s wonderful to have money to spend on things you want. In fact, I would consider that a blessing from God. But God ties the biggest blessings to our willingness to make room for them. And God’s first choice in the room-making strategy is to give generously from what we already have. This sounds strange if you’ve never heard it or done it. Even reckless and impossible. But the truth is what it is. According to Jesus, give first and see what happens. Give and you…(that’s you)…will…(that’s certainty)…receive…(that’s the good stuff God gives.). Show me a stiingy person and I’ll show you someone who does not yet understand God’s grace. But they can if they are willing to give.

Lord, help us give to others as You have freely given to us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, billantonstudio.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.