The Paradox of Giving

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” II Corinthians 8:2

In chapter seven of the book “The 33 Laws of Stewardship” the authors discuss the “Law of Paradoxical Participation,” which they describe as the spiritual principle that tells us that “the riches generosity often comes out of the deepest poverty.” The three priorities that they state will help us live out this law in our lives are:
1. “Respond to need, not pressure. The generous giver is prompted to give by seeing a need and being touched by it.”
2. “Have an open heart and an open hand. Openness is willingness and nothing pleases God more than a heart that willingly yields to Him and a hand that willingly gives to Him.”
3. “Be a river, not a reservoir. Believers are channels not containers. God’s love and grace are to flow through us, and not be held in us.”

The idea of poverty reminds me of how God sometimes prepare us for ministry, if we are surrendered, by carrying us (Isaiah 40:29-31) through our own trials. Through this the Lord’s faithfulness motivates a spiritual humility that prepares us to be a comfort to others (Galatians 6:2) by allowing ourselves to become vessel of God’s free flowing love. Has the Lord prepared you for a ministry? Have you ever considered love an element of stewardship, along with money, talents and time? Or is it quite possible that love is the true catalyst to genuine stewardship.

So when you consider how God wants to use you during this campaign do not limit yourself to financial generosity, but consider all areas of your walk with Christ in which God is prompting you to be a better steward. It is my prayer that through this journey, our love for the Lord Jesus Christ will grow and that all honor and glory will be His alone.
Tami

All excerpts were taken from “The 33 Laws of Stewardship” by Dave Sutherland and Kirk Nowery, New Source Publishing,2003.