Good morning, Father! I’m ready to hear what You have to say. Help me to take it all in and to live it out, too!
Titus 3:12-15 (<<click here to read the passage)
Paul’s letter to Titus concludes with some transitional instruction – a pastoral change with a call for Titus to winter with Paul. Also, Paul asks for the Cretes to help Apollos and Zenas in their travels for ministry. In that regard, he writes, “Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent need of others; then they will not be unproductive.” v14
Lord, when we are called to share, it can be a challenge – it goes against our self-preservation mentality. If I have two apples and I give you one apple…that leaves me with just one apple. Things we own, including money, are sometimes difficult to part with…but for that matter, so is our time. In fact, sometimes it is easier to throw money at a need than to invest time into it. Quite often, time is a much more valuable commodity.
Jesus, when You came to live amongst us – You sacrificed everything. We had nothing in comparison, but You came to give us Your all. You held nothing back.
For the most part, we are not asked to give away everything we cherish. (Though a devout follower realizes all we own – all we are – is from Your bounteous hand.) But how many times when we are asked to give, do we respond like a toddler whose toy is given to another?
Lord, help me to be wise in my giving. May I give to those who are genuinely in need. May I do so with the utmost love and compassion. May I not be hesitant, on occasion, to give until it hurts. May I be Your hands and Your heart to a world in need – not just material need, but sometimes I need to give time, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
(Feb 7th, 2016, Sun, 6:28 am)
Jan 5th, 2025, Sun, 5:42 pm
