Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17 (NKJV)
Series: In Remembrance
Mother Teresa echoed this sentiment throughout her life of service to others: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Today, we are going to look at that thought through the pages of scripture and discover how we can take action on this cherished conviction she shared so deeply with the world around her.
As we have been preparing our hearts for the coming of Easter, we hope you are making room for Jesus daily and that as He leads, you follow. These past few weeks, this series has taught us how treasured the Lenten season is to the Christian community. This time of preparation allows our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls to be nourished by our Savior, Jesus Christ. With His sacrifice at the forefront of our minds, we experience firsthand all Jesus accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection. We serve a gracious God.
Have you been dwelling on His perfect Word today? Is He stretching you out of your comfort zone? Can you feel His presence a little more deeply than you have before? Oh, we hope so! Through prayer, repentance, and fasting, we have found new ways to connect with our Heavenly Father. This week our focus is on the gift of almsgiving. This term may be familiar to you, but just in case it isn’t, almsgiving is when we give to others from a place of love in our hearts. Just as Mother Teresa shared about doing even small things with great love, we too can be a picture of this to others.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:25 ESV)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Whether almsgiving is financially based, or in other ways of service to those in need, may our giving be done out of a true love for God, without drawing attention to ourselves. Let us invest what God has given us to impact the lives of others and be confident that the results will make a difference both now and for eternity.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Proverbs 11:25; Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 14:12-14; Acts 20:35