“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:3-4
The last post was about letting the Holy Spirit guide us in our giving. I received a comment with the question: “How do you see that playing out in everyday life?” So, I will try to answer that question in today’s article.
I want to emphasize that we are all different and have different incomes and obligations in our lives. God does not expect the same commitment from you as He does from me. So, I can only speak from my own experience. Here are some ways that I have felt the Lord wanted me to give beyond my tithes and offerings to my local church.
- Missions –send an offering to a missionary or the Pastor of a small church that may be struggling. Let the Spirit lead you. You may be the answer to a specific prayer.
- Homeless – a group in our church takes a day to deliver food and supplies to homeless people in our city. When you are out shopping, look for special sales on socks and other personal items that they can use.
- Local food banks – When you are purchasing grocery items, buy extra of things on special. Our church usually has a time to collect donations.
- Young person in your church – slip them a $20 bill or $5 if that is what you can afford. You may not realize how that will let them know you care.
- Someone outside a grocery store – Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you. By giving them cash or a store card, you will have an opportunity to share the Gospel and invite them to church.
These are just a few ways that I have found to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and use what the Lord has blessed me with to bless someone else. One year, I kept a list of all the times I blessed someone and the blessings that I received in return. It was amazing! I received so much more than I gave, not just in material blessings, but in spiritual blessings. You will find other opportunities that suit your situation.
Thought For Today: God bless you as you trust the leading of His Spirit. Remember, you are laying up treasures in Heaven.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
