Every so often, not often enough I get the idea that I want to take a good assessment of all the stuff that one can accumulate in the course of a year.  Paper and nick knacks can pile up and things that it seemed that we could not live without, all of a sudden become just so much clutter.  You know what I mean, when it is time to jettison, to get rid of and to stop allowingthe stuff that is really unnecessary to clutter our lives.  Giving is a great way to live an uncluttered life.  In the final analysis the best way that giving de-clutters our life is by way of following the Lord in obedience and allowing Him to decide what is really important.

Jesus talked a lot about giving, and what it meant to give in a way that blesses the giver and the receiver.  He said in the Sermon on the Mount that when we give from the stuff we have whether compassion, time or resources we should be care not to do it to be seen my men.  In other words the giving part although essential to Christian living is not done to gain the accolades of men. The Promise here is that our Heavenly who see everything that is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6)

Paul in the same way spoke about the fact that when we give we are sowing and investing in things that will make a difference.  He says that whoever sows (gives) sparingly will also reap sparingly but those who sow generously will again be blessed in the same way.  Paul says that God loves a cheerful giver.  (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7)

Giving is at the heart of the message of Jesus and Giving should be at the center of the followers of Jesus who want to please the Lord and de-clutter their lives from stuff that can get in the way.  The Power of Giving is the power of focus, allowing the things that really matter the things that really make an eternal difference to come to the service and take the lead in our lives with Jesus.

I am always amazed at our church family and how they respond to the needs of the world at large, I am praying for all of us that as we live for Jesus giving out of an act of obedience to God will be come as natural as breathing.  Everything we have belongs to Him anyway all we really are, are stewards for God, taking what He has given us and investing for eternal returns.  My prayer for my life and for all who read this blog is that giving to God will become something that grows us spiritually while at the same time keeps us focused on the eternal.