Sam and Zach

Liberally Giving

"I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day... I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians, because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity."

- Robert Murray M'Cheyne

I'm not completely sure where to start. 

Lately I've really wanted to know God's truth, despite what others tell me, what I hear going on around me, and my own doubts and questions and concerns. I have also been strongly convicted that I am not loving people well. I don't just mean be nice, hold the door open, give a random hug, kind of love. I mean radical, culture changing, mind blowing, everything you've got kind of love. I have this constant concern in the back of my soul that we may be doing everything totally wrong. That the church often doesnt look like what God desires, and that we really aren't taking him seriously. How could I be in a healthy community if I'm not loving people well? (Remember, I mean loving REAL WELL). Not that opening doors and giving hugs are lame ways to love people. But to most seriously become less, to give so hard it hurts me, or to be so self controlled against my sinful desires that it may almost insult other people (that one's a LOAD to describe...maybe later). 

When I read anything in scripture about how people lived life together, ran churches together, or did essentially anything for the Kingdom of God in a group, there was such a tremendous amount of love involved. And I DONT think that because our culture is cluttered and busy that it gives us an excuse to lack wholesome love. 

Don't you see guys? I have not been loving people well. Not that I never love people, or that I don't care about love the way Jesus desires me to, but I am NOT giving up my everything for others or for Christ. I can't say that I would love to die tomorrow if that would bring Christ glory. I don't particularly want to get hit by a car running. And that might sound funny, but I'm dead serious! It literally makes me nervous just talking about it. The way I unconsciously (sometimes consciously) hold on to my materials and my life is sickening. 

 

I don't make very much money. I work a good bit for a college student, and I thoroughly enjoy the comfort of knowing that I can pay my rent without taking out my loan money. I'm probably the poorest I'll ever be. What an amazing opportunity to have grand expectations for the Lord! 

I can't express to you the importance and the urgency to live the way God intended, to love with total abandon and expect the Lord to fill you with joy and provide no matter what that looks like. THIS IS WHAT WE WERE MADE FOR GUYS! It sounds "radical" but WHY!? WHY DO I HAVE A FULL CLOSET OF NEATLY COLOR COORDINATED CLOTHES? 

I want to encourage you to live a passionate life, no matter how crazy it looks. I pray you will be so full of the Spirit that you will have joy and love abounding from every poor in your stinking body. To love people you hate so much that you just want to kiss their face, and to give your life and your earnings to those who may need it more than you in whatever way possible. Just go do something crazy.

Rachel

Haley