Giving and giving back

Firstly, long and detailed directions on what - and what not to eat. God's amazing provision to help keep His people healthy, including instructions not to eat anything they found already dead.  Of course, who knows how fresh the meat would be, or if it harboured disease. (A little disturbingly, God said they could give or sell such meat to a foreigner...)

But after that, instructions on tithing. vv 22 - 26 "Make an offering of ten percent, a tithe, of all the produce which grows in your fields year after year. Bring this into the Presence of God, your God, at the place he designates for worship and there eat the tithe from your grain, wine, and oil and the firstborn from your herds and flocks. In this way you will learn to live in deep reverence before God, your God, as long as you live. 

But if the place God, your God, designates for worship is too far away and you can’t carry your tithe that far, God, your God, will still bless you: exchange your tithe for money and take the money to the place God, your God, has chosen to be worshiped. Use the money to buy anything you want: cattle, sheep, wine, or beer—anything that looks good to you. You and your family can then feast in the Presence of God, your God, and have a good time.

The Israelites were also reminded to take care of the Levites, who served God but had no land of their own and therefore no way to support themselves: "That way they’ll have plenty to eat and God, your God, will bless you in all your work."

So I think of tithing, of giving back to God what he has given me. A way of living in mindfulness that everything I have has come from God. I am humbly acknowledging this when I give back to Him by giving money to those who depend on gifts to help others - the Tumaini Fund, Compassion International, Christians Against Poverty, Barnabas Fund, all in their different ways.

Tithing is a reminder of the slow nature of farming, the steady, faithful work, of tending and caring and praying for good weather and waiting and waiting and waiting. Tithing is a reminder to slow the pace of my life down, to stop and pause and give thanks. It is for the purpose of communion with God, to pause to be in his presence. To enjoy life with him, living life in awareness of him.  Matthew Henry says, commenting on these verses: "Contentment, holy joy, and thankfulness, make every meal a religious feast."

Lysa Terkeust in First Five comments: "Jesus echoed what we learned today during His time on earth. He held fast to God's desire for the slower rhythms. Though he drew a crowd, his heart was drawn to individual connection. He rose early to lovingfy linger with his father in prayer. He sought out opportunities to slow down and notice hurting individuals. He longed for intimate conversation with those closest to him while enjoying long suppers."

It's Harvest Festival time. I'm reminded that giving thanks for the Harvest is just that: giving thanks, remembering anew to trust God for life itself.

Learning to trust God with the pace of my life, my place in the world and for him to provide all my needs, in every way.

"Learn to live in deep reverence before God."

God is in control

1 Peter 5:10 - 11 But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That’s why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm.
God will be in control forever! Amen.

Thinking this morning about Joseph, and how God used his sufferings for great good. How he learned forgiveness and humility; living an upright life.

Difficult to learn without suffering.

My prayer is that I accept the 'suffering' I go through (which is not much, really: just loss of pride and reputation; loss of friendships and relationships; loss of confidence...) rather than trying to control my circumstances to suit myself.

And perhaps I can begin to pray Jennie Allen's prayer 'anything':

Anything. God. Anything.
And in that one little word we turned in everything for God’s anything.
Every dream for our lives.
Every dollar and possession.
Every safety and comfort.
Every person’s approval.
Every ambition.
Everything.

And we opened our entire lives up to anything God had for us.
Any risk.
Any country.
Any act of obedience.
Any dream God had for us.
Anything.

And Christine Caine: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. — Psalm 147:3

I had to tackle many challenges from my past in order to step into my God-given destiny. I was left in a hospital unnamed and unwanted when I was born and am living proof that no matter how you start in life, you can take charge of your life and run to win. We do not need to live like victims; rather we can appropriate the truth of the Word of God in every area of our lives and experience complete healing and wholeness.

If I had not allowed God’s Word to bring healing into my life, I would not be fulfilling my destiny now. Despite having the God-given gifts and talents that I needed, I was so weak emotionally that my soul would not allow me to go where my gifts could take me. It was crucial that I dealt with all the areas of brokenness in my heart.

Our inner world totally affects our outer world. If there is a disparity between what’s going on inside our hearts and what’s happening in our external world, we will eventually implode; our lives will break down or blow up. The Bible is full of examples of people who did not run their race and finish their course because they did not deal with issues of their soul.

Ensure that you allow God to work deeply in you so that he is able to work powerfully through you.
Moment of Reflection

Is your inner world affecting your outer world in positive or negative ways?

Gifts

Epiphany - the visit of the wise men. A prayer.

Just as the wise men brought gifts, so do we.

We bring the you the gift of concern
for our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world,
especially those countries where they endure hardship and suffering
simply because they are called by your name.

We bring you a gift of thanks
for those who faithfully follow you.
Inspire and encourage all who seek to live by your truth.
Connect us as we seek to work together.

We bring you a gift of sacrifice
Make us hungrier for your word and
thirstier to be obedient to what you teach us.
May we live our lives for your purposes.

Just as the wise men brought riches
we ask that we be more generous.
Make us open-handed with our wealth,
lavish with our praises and
extravagant with our worship
so that we may live lives
wholly devoted to you.

Of Gifts and Giving...

Gifts at Christmas – reminding us of the gift of Jesus, the gifts of the magi... tangible, actual gifts.

Gifts, giving. We think we know what that means.  Jesus talked about the value of giving in secret and giving without expecting any reward for doing so: in true giving, the giver does not expect anything in return. The dictionary gives ideas of handing over something (or someone) into someone else’s care – usually permanently.

We might not - perhaps should not – get our ‘gift’ back.

Do you think that, despite our best intentions, we can lose sight of this at Christmas?  Is there an insidious demand deep within ourselves, perhaps unnoticed until it is not met, that our giving is reciprocated so that we do in fact receive some reward. Not necessarily a physical gift, but recognition, appreciation, value, worth...?

How to give

Giving isn’t just about buying or creating actual gifts for someone.  We can give of ourselves.  We can give:

Our time – when we don’t feel we have enough of it for ourselves, let alone any to give away.

Our convenience – when it is troublesome to put ourselves out.

Our leisure – when our own plans are put to one side.

Our relaxation – when we give up our own comfort to give Jesus.

Our friendship – when it seems that others don’t reciprocate.

Giving also has the idea of yielding – we talk about ‘give and take’. Maybe we could give up our right to win arguments...?!  Maybe we could give forgiveness, especially where it is unlikely there will be reconciliation...?

Giving ourselves gifts, too: the gift of grace

Because giving also has the idea of giving in to pressure, or even collapsing, in the sense of breaking down and falling apart, sometimes we can be so busy ‘giving’ to others that we ‘give’ in this sense as well. We become tired, worn out - even, at times, broken. We work and toil and strive to fulfil our function and purpose as 'givers' that we forget to give ourselves gifts too: gifts of grace.

Giving also applies to giving permission.  We can give ourselves permission to be imperfect, to have ‘time off’ from Christmas preparations... can we also give permission to others to  speak, behave or just to BE THEMSELVES in a way free of demands and expectations this Christmas?  Just as Jesus did...

What gift of grace could you give yourself?   Grace to be imperfect. Grace of time. Grace of...?

What gift would you give Jesus? I asked this question at school, providing little gift tags for the children to write on, popping them into a bright gift bag next to the crib scene.  The ideas were all very sweet, but I liked this answer best: I would give him a great big hug!

What would YOU give him?

Of slowing down for Christmas...and a special gift

I teach. So end of term in December is incredibly hectic with all kinds of disruption to the timetable: carol services (and endless rehearsals); Christmas lunch, with the preparation for that; Christmas parties; nativity plays to take part in or watch, making all kinds of Christmas crafts...not to mention trying to find time to teach the children the real meaning of Christmas.
I am learning how to do this well.
I am learning to adapt the normal curriculum so we finish in plenty of time.
I am learning to choose fewer but more meaningful activities for the children to do.
I am learning not to stress if something isn't finished.
I am learning how to prepare my heart.
So this end of term was considerably less stressful than normal and so, on Day One of the holidays, I am relaxed enough to complete just one item on my 'to do' list (writing Christmas cards), spending the remaining time on thoughtful reflection.
Reflecting on what happened that first Christmas, and what it might look like today - thought-provoking versions of that story help me place myself in the midst of it.
Considering different aspects of the story: this year, it is that of giving. And gifts.
The end of term often brings Christmas gifts from the children. Some of them - most of them - have been chosen by busy mothers.  Chocolates, candles, sometimes more personal gifts: I run the gardening club at school so often receive garden related presents.  I have also, over the years, received some beautiful jewellery which I have worn over and over again, because it has been just right for me....indicative of a thoughtful parent.  However, the ones that stand out are those which the children have obviously made, or chosen. And yes, I do get quite a few 'thank you for being my teacher' items. This year, two placards each bearing the message: To teach is to touch a life'. One has stayed in my classroom, the other is small enough to join the ornaments on my tree at home.
Teaching brings many special memories, but it is also so consuming that, once a class has left my room, all my energies go into my new class. I find it difficult to remember if I taught a child the previous year or the previous decade.  So the gift I remember best is one I received from one of the children yesterday. Jack loves school - so much so that he was sad on the last day of term. He didn't want to stop coming every day and wrote in his card (lovingly handmade) to me: 'I like school and you might know it!' With the card came a little present: beautifully wrapped, with a delicate wire gift tag, it contained a pretty little bracelet in my favourite turquoise.  He had chosen, wrapped and presented it entirely on his own. He is nine years old. With that gift, I feel he gave me a little of himself. That's too special for words.