GENEROSITY BEGETS GENEROSITY

Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you..."

God is love.

All other Christian principles follow this simple concept. Jesus spoke of giving in the same context as "Love Your Enemies," and "Do Not Judge." While it may seem as though these teachings are distinctly different, each exemplifies the underlying principle of love.

When we open our hearts to God and accept Jesus, we live the way God wants us to live. We love every creature on earth (equally), practice forgiveness, and resist the temptation to judge others.

Giving - just follows naturally. No longer will we give out of a sense of obligation or responsibility - that we must or have to give.   Nor will we give because we feel guilty - because we think we should or ought to give - that if we attend church it is the fair, right, and proper thing to do.

"Give and it will be given to you," comes from Luke, Chapter 6. Reading the entire chapter, we see that Jesus does not mean this literally, but is teaching us to love all, without judgment and with forgiveness. He is also urging us to let go of expectations, expecting nothing in return. Yet, paradoxically, he is telling us that once we fully and completely accept love, we too will benefit.

Embracing God's love, we give freely and without hesitation. We want to give, because it comes from an open heart. Giving can take many forms - prayers, presence, service, and money. Each is equally important in serving God.

Therefore, let us pray, "God, please open my heart to your loving, forgiving, and accepting ways, showing me how I can best serve you by giving all that I can. In Christ's name." Amen

~ Lorelei Jarrell

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About the author....

Lorelei has been attending Kingswood for 30+ years.  She is an at-large member on the Church Council and part of the Trustees Committee.  Lorelei has played in the Kingswood Adult Bell Choir for about 20 years.  She is a recently retired federal employee who worked to protect the nation's health for more than 39 years!  Lorelei, a widow of ten years, has two children, Ron, Jr. and Kristin, who both attended Kingswood.  She is also a grandmother to two boys, Wes and Owen, who are Ron's sons.  Lorelei is still exploring what to do with her newly discovered leisure time