As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever". Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9: 9-11 [The Message]
God gives us resources to invest for him, everything we have and are is for his glory, he is looking for Hearts of Gold to sow into his kingdom – God's storehouse is beyond comprehension!
A team of us have just returned from a mission trip to Romania. Chris and I had wanted to go last year but knew it was not the right season, however in January we both felt the Lord saying now was the time to go but there were obstacles. I work full-time at a school, including school holidays, and any leave I book must be during school holidays only, as Chris's work had been sporadic we also had no money for flights or accommodation! Despite these obstacles we said yes, trusting God to provide for they were His plans.
The following happened:
● This trip had never taken place during a school holiday before, however, to my delight this had been arranged for the Easter holiday - Good Friday week. I had Good Friday as a bank holiday and went to book the other 4 days. To God's amusement, I discovered we had also been given the Thursday as a statutory day so I only had to use 3 days leave – He was increasing already.
● A friend from church asked if we would consider having a young man lodge with us for a couple of months while he was house-hunting - knowing God had given us our home to share we agreed. He brought in the extra income we needed, plus a free pass to the local health-club where he works!
● Chris sold his old guitar amp from his tour-manager days on e-bay which had been in the loft of his old house for £800.
● Two weeks before we left Chris had a fair-sized unexpected tax refund!
● We went on our first mission trip together - 9 in total with all the qualifications reminiscent of the Dirty Dozen! And sowed great seed for a great God, the doors that the Lord opened were amazing so watch this space.
What are the qualifications we look for? Intelligence, wit, charm, strength, wealth, fame, power. Thankfully God knows better, he knows he can bestow all these things to anyone so he looks for one quality we often fail to see, God looks at the heart. God looks at our willingness to put our trust in Him and our willingness to be used for the best possible intentions God could ever have for us.
I don't know what the Lord is asking of you, we are all different, but one thing is certain, he will enlarge the harvest and be generous on every occasion..."I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted" Job 42:40 [NIV]
Dawn Milward
No comments:
Post a Comment