Living Is Giving
If you want to be like Jesus, forget about yourself and live for others, for that’s what He did! Listen: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45 NIV) Don’t pray for a generous heart; practice being generous and your heart will follow. Become a sower, and God will give you more seed (2 Corinthians 9:10). If He’s not giving you all the seed you want, it could be that you haven’t become a sower yet.
And always do more than you’re expected to do. Rebecca did that, and she became the bride of Isaac and the inheritor of all Abraham’s blessings (Genesis 24). Have you any idea how much water one thirsty camel can drink? Well, she watered a whole group of them for a perfect stranger, and even though she didn’t know it, she was writing the resumé for her future. Don’t pass up an opportunity to give or to be gracious, for you’ve no idea whose camels you’re watering.
Instead of always having to be the bride at the wedding and the star of the show, learn to put others first. Follow the example of the Macedonians. Listen, ‘They gave not only what they could afford, but far more... their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us, for whatever directions God might give to them through us.’ (2 Corinthians 8:3–5 TLB)
Now there’s a formula for making your life count!