Last week the whole church gave so that about 200 kids could have a Christmas. Then the pastor says, this week we don't want your money this week, instead we want your shoes! They partnered with Cooperative Ministries to help them collect shoes to give away. And immediately I thought of how after the sermon I had to go see my little brother in a musical, then we were going out to eat as a family and I couldn't go in a restaurant barefoot! And how I had just bought those shoes a week ago [on sale], and how my mom was not going to like that so I stayed in my seat and didn't give up my shoes. I thought about how I could bring in the shoes in my closet that I don't ever wear, and still keep the ones I had on. Then the band started to play and I could feel God laying it on my heart. Not laying...God put six elephants on my heart is what it really felt like! It was the coolest thing of my life. I knew I should be giving my shoes and I wanted to, but I kept making excuses. Finally somewhere in one of the songs I took them off and threw 'em on the massive pile.
God really convicted me because I feel like that is how I handle giving in life. Sure, I'd donate to Winter Days, or put some change in the salvation army bucket because its just change, and I tithe yes, but none of that is really sacrificial giving. Giving up my brand new shoes was a sacrifice for me. I'm really thankful I wore those shoes to church though, if it had been either of my other pairs it would not have been as big of a deal and probably would not of felt like a sacrifice.
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" Phil. 4:8
No comments:
Post a Comment