Wednesday, May 5, 2010
By Dave Sonnenberg
Determination is one of life’s great gifts. Determination pulls the strength the lies within to achieve or make a difference. Determination is often believing that some goal is attainable but it requires effort or “sweat equity”.
One of the things that I appreciate about the book of Acts was the early church’s determination to be generous. They, as a community, set out tangible goals for everyone to shoot for- namely, “let’s not have a needy person among us”. They lived with a spirit of “each of us can contribute to lifting up the community”.
According to countless studies, being generous with our resources is actually more fulfilling than “accumulating countless things”. Sharing with others or with groups in need brings a greater sense of fulfillment than just obtaining things for ourselves. The early church seemed to understand that and they encouraged people make generosity part of their “natural defaults”. They seemed to move beyond “keep all for self” to a “live within means and be generous so that others have what they need” mentality.
I am grateful for people in my life who exhibit extreme generosity (the sharing of time, talent, and resources) for their enthusiasm is a great witness and encouragement.
I believe that if we are determined to be generous, we can and will be. Are we determined enough?
Acts 11:18-30
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. 20But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. 22News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.
27 At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. 29The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; 30this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
No comments:
Post a Comment