Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Learn To Give, Learn To Live

Good Morning!! I know I can't be the only one. :o) Many people are burdened by the accumulation of material goods they no longer need or use. But they have a hard time getting rid of things that clog their homes and businesses. One woman said, after five moves in four years, "You know how much stuff I brought with me to each place? I've asked myself, 'Where was your brain when you moved all this stuff?'" She then hired a professional organizer to help her learn to let go of things.

Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "I will give half of my property to the poor." —Luke 19:8 (AAJE)
People cling to their possessions for many different reasons. It seems that Zacchaeus struggled with this problem because he was greedy (Luke 19:1-10). But the story of this wealthy tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus culminated in a complete change of heart when Zacchaeus said, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor" (v.8). He then promised, "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." Jesus responded by saying, "Today salvation has come to this house" (v.9). The new spiritual freedom that Zacchaeus found could be observed as he turned from getting to giving. His relaxed grip revealed a renewed heart. Is it true of us as well?

We haven't learned to live, until we've learned to give.

Father God, teach us that; not everything that can be counted counts,...and not everything that counts can be counted. Amen.

"Blessed is he who has found his work, let him ask no other blessedness."

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