FRIDAY 08/12/2022 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

 FRIDAY 08/12/2022 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

I write about spiritual things on Friday.

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HEY - I’m getting a MANSION!!!  Really!!!

I’ve got the downpayment ready!!  (In fact, I’m getting this mansion for FREE!!!)

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I'm going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

I am also reluctant to write about this topic (money and giving) because (a) it makes me look so generous, (b) you might think I am so spiritual and wonderful,  or (c) I am so inadequate to write about this.

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Luke 12:34

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10

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For many years (almost all my years), I’ve been a stingy giver.  I “tried” to give a tithe (10%) but didn’t really get that done.  I think I wanted to “hedge my bets” on God.  I was married and didn’t want to scare my spouse.

Fast forward.  I am divorced.  I am living alone in a small apartment.  My income is about $5,000 a month.  I give about $200 to my two churches a month (that’s a little stingy).  This month, I gave $2000 to academic institutions (where I taught.  I gave about $200 to low-income friends.  I paid off my credit card bills in full and paid $1000 for my apartment rent.  So, about $2300 out of $5000 - or about 46% went to giving.  I did pay off my car loan last month (so, ongoing will be better).  I have a large upcoming insurance bill and a major trip to plan and pay for.  I don’t like spending too much on myself.  

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Now - I’m not doing this to boast.  I’m not doing this to impress God or to impress you.  I’m doing this because my “heart” said so.  

“Home is where your heart is”.  

I am going to die.  This week, I’ve been writing about infrastructure and retirement.  The “ultimate” retirement is death.  Death is coming.  

I’ve been raised as a Christian.  Some think death is final.  Cashing in the chips - over and done.

I believe/accept an infinite being - creator.  I call it God.  Some might call the infinite being “The Force” (as in “Let the Force be with you”).  Some use a pronoun of “HIM/HE”, others might say “SHE/HER”.  I’m not too worried about the gender of God.  I don’t view God as male or female - just all-powerful.  God can be both male and female (if he/she/it wanted to).  While I may not fully accept Genesis 1 and 2 as the creation of the world, I believe this all-powerful being can speak things into existence.  (And, somehow I doubt that he/she/it uses English!!!).  

There are some who think they will come back to this (or maybe another planet) in some other form (reincarnation) - some who think they will spend eternity in some place (and those people describe heaven and hell.  Some think you earn heaven or deserve hell.  I’m willing to say “I don’t know.”  I TRUST (and that’s pretty important to me) that this infinite being accepts and LOVES ME.  Hebrews 11 talks about FAITH.  Faith is more than hope.  

“I hope it rains today”, or “I believe that it will rain today” are similar statements - but one is vague and one is positive. 

Can I work my way into an afterlife?  Can I “buy” salvation?  I don’t think so.  

So, here I am - giving money, giving time, giving advice, giving love - because I WANT TO GIVE.  Deep inside I want to give.  

It is more than giving - more than money - it is an ultimate LOVE.  This infinite being created everything - from atoms upward.  The joy and pleasures of this world, of walking, breathing, eating, and even watching television directly or indirectly come from this ultimate being (God).  If I believe that HE/SHE/IT/THE FORCE loved the world that HE/SHE/IT/THE FORCE created enough to ransom it, then I believe there is reason and HE surrounds me in HIS ultimate LOVE.  

My heart is set on “give”, “forgive”, “love”, “share”, and being “intimate” with something/someone who is way beyond me - not because the “rules” say “give 10%” - but that (the trite saying), God loves a cheerful giver.

Maybe I’ll die penniless, maybe I’ll die with a bank account that will be shared with others.  God is in charge - not me!!!  (Hallelujah!! - Can I get an “amen”?)

LOVE WINS!!!!

Karen White ©

August 12, 2022