- Grandpa and Granny West.
I remember vividly one of the most precious gifts my granny ever gave me. By this time in her life, my grandpa had passed away and granny’s finances were not abundantly flowing, not that they were “abundantly flowing” in the first place. I was home from college and went to visit her. As she was lying in her bed and I was sitting on the edge of it, she gave me a birthday card. I can still see her shaky handwriting on the card now. When I opened the card there was a one dollar bill. Granny said in a soft voice, “Baby, this is all I can give.” I felt the pressure in my head as I was trying to hold back the tears. I wasn’t crying because that was all that she gave me, but because she gave all she could give. What a blessing!
There were a few times in my life when I had to reluctantly rely on someone else to help me with finances. I did not like asking for help. But, someone once told me, “If I want to help you and can, don’t steal my joy by not accepting it.” I am so appreciative of those angels in my life.
Now, I am blessed in my life to be able to “pay it forward” and help others in times of trouble. Thank You, Jesus.
Recently, my sweet friend sat down and told me about how her electricity will be turned off on Monday until she can get paid on Friday to pay the bill. She didn’t want to tell me and was really wasn’t asking for anything, but her son encourage her to and he told me on the phone “Momma needs to talk to you.”
My sister-friend has had a tough road to travel in life. She knows that God is in control and knows that He will provide for her needs, but it is still hard to not worry. (Isn’t that so typical of us to know all the right words and the right things to do, but we still feel helpless and lost at times due to lack of “our” control. That’s a devotion all in itself.) We chatted, cried, and prayed together. Tim and I will be helping our friend, and doing so will a glad and grateful heart.
This morning’s scriptures Proverbs 11:24-26 (NLT) “Give freely and become wealthier; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.” motivated me to search for more scripture to go with helping others. (see below)
Just remember that when you are down and out, allow those who want to help do so. Don’t steal their joy. When you are able to assist others in their season of hard times, pray about it and do so with a joyful heart.
Deuteronomy 15:10: You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
Deuteronomy 16:17: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.
1 Chronicles 29:9: Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
Proverbs 3:9-10: Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
It’s indeed a blessing to ourselves when we serve others without expectations.