Give As You Are Able

All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 16:17

This command was directed to the Israelite's as they were getting ready to enter the promised land.  They were instructed to celebrate all God had done for them 3 times a year and during those celebrations they were told to give according to the blessings given them.  Most of us, when we see these words, first think of money and tithing.  We have all heard that we should give 10 percent of our earnings, but have you ever thought that for most of us 10 percent isn't very much?  For many of us we don't give according to what we have been given.  We have many more blessings than money, in fact, some may not have much money but they may have other blessings that are just as important to share with others.  The gifts God gives us are not limited to monetarty and material things.  God gives some of us more compassion than others and so we should be sharing that with others.  God gives some the ability to organize and lead and those gifts can be used for His kingdom as personal use.  There are so many different ways in which we are all blessed and we are encouraged to use those gifts to help others.  According to the gifts we have been given we can all work together to make this community and world a better place to live.  It is our responsibility to use what we have been given to improve our surroundings personally and with others.  All must give as they are able.  I want to encourage you to sit down this week and after prayer and deep thinking make a list of the things you have been blessed with, the gifts you are in abundance of, and then think about what you have done with them lately.   Make a list of the areas you can use your gifts, and the people you could share them with.  Then pray about opportunities, be looking for ways to share God's blessings, be willing to give according to the blessings you have received from the Lord.  I too have much to think about and can't wait to see what God can do with my willing heart.  Please join me!