Daily Bread 5-6-17
Acts 11:29,30
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
ref. - Ro 15:26 - For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
1Co 16:1 - Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given the order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
On the subject of giving, we have a little confusion. This is because there sometimes is no understanding of the giving, or there is no desire to give. As we read in Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and other areas of the Bible, the true disciples and Apostles were not reserved when it came to giving. They did it themselves and, in return, they we're given to as well. It is not something that can be forced but if we are truly serving God the desire to give and help others will be from within. We will also trust in whom the resposibility has been given to receive this releif. Some churches have special offerings, some have fundraisers, others actually require certain amounts to be put aside and given. Many requirements, as long as they are supported by scripture are correct and righteous. We find in this scripture that this is nothing new. As a matter of fact, it is written for us as an example of what God puts in us as we grow in him. This is not a requirement but it is an example of what many of the people whose examples are written in the bible did out of their pure love and gratitude for the Church that God drew them to and the savior that was leading them. Jesus Christ and what God has provided for us is beyond all methods of reimbursement but, as we read, ALL of the people helped out as much as they could, and when they could, so that the gospel that saved them could be taken to others who were in deep need of the same. So, today, take a look at what desire is in you and think about this; Is my desire to help and my ability to help coming from necessity or is it out of love for what God has done for me? Think about this today and if you do not have a desire to give and to help the church pray that God will put in you the same heart that he put in those disciples, apostles, and leaders. they not only received. but they gave, it was all collected by Paul and Barnabas, and distributed by the leaders of the Church as was necessary. If it is in you help!! If it is not, pray that God will put it in you to help!! Let's strive to be as the ones we are given as examples and have a great day!!!!