Aug. 31, 2008
Responsibility - Part II
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I recently posted on Responsibility - my favorite soapbox. Shortly afterwards I read the following devotional and realized this needed to be a part of this soapbox. No matter how little we have, there will always be someone who has less. You may encounter someone today who has no smile, certainly you will have one to share. So single moms, when you feel that the church is not keeping up with their responsibility, do a personal self-check and make sure you're keeping up with yours. In addition to gleaning, I believe we are responsible to give, as we are able. Here is the devotional: God's Calling Journal, August 30, p. 253 "Give abundantly. Feel that you are rich. Have no mean thought in your heart. Of Love, of thought, of all you have, give, give, give. You are followers of the World's Greatest Giver. Give of time, of personal ease and comfort, of rest, of fame, of healing, of power, of sympathy, of all these and many more. Learn this lesson, and you will become a great power to help others and to do mighty things." Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bossom." So, are you gleaning? Are you giving? I figured if I believed strictly in giving 10% of my money for tithe, I would have little to give. But if I give 10% of my time and talent, too, well, then there is something to share. I'm hoping this week (yah! I know, I'm overly optimistic at this point) to put on Photobucket some of the quilts I've done for our Chaplaincy Ministry. I figured out this morning 10% of my day is 2.4 hours, that is the minimum I need to give back to the Lord. 10% of my work week is 3 - 4 hours, that is the minimum I need to work for the Lord or for my work to count for the Lord. Then there is 10% of my income, which is not much, but that also is the minimum that I need to give back. Let me just put a side note here, in light of recent life experiences, I do NOT believe that the 10% you give back to the Lord MUST be done through your church. The Lord may lead you and your family to tithe of your time, talent and treasure in some other way. Supporting your local church is as important as them supporting you. However, when the church is not supporting those with needs, because they are busy building buildings or adding programs, I feel a personal direction to give to those where I know there is a real life sustaining need first. So are you gleaning? Are you giving? Are you upholding your end of the responsibility? I am trying to. May the Lord bless your Lord's day, MaggieRaye |
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