2 Corinthians 8:13-14 I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
There are times I feel I’m so overwhelmed from going and going. I want to give to others; I want to help at church; I want to volunteer at the food pantry; I want a clean house; I want to cook healthy meals for my family; I want; I want.
I become frustrated with the seemingly never ending cycle, and I shut down. Curling up in my recliner with my flannels on, I hide from the world. What’s the point of the little bit I do? I can’t really make a difference anyway, can I? These thoughts cross my mind. Don’t they yours? Sometimes?
Filling our moments with so many tasks causes us to lose sight of why we’re helping in the first place. We become frazzled and frantic with the stress of too much to do, our own financial worries, and caring for our own homes and families.
God never meant for us to neglect ourselves. We should never give so much of ourselves that our own lives become too difficult. He doesn’t expect us to eliminate every world problem. He asks we help others when we see them in need, in whatever way we can.
Eventually, many of those we help will be in a position to extend the same hospitality to us, or if not us, to someone else. We don’t do it to get something in return, but by His grace, kindness will come back to us.
There’s truth to caring for our own first so that we can most effectively reach out and care for those in need. Not all at once. Not every single person. Just what we can from our hearts, in His name. In His love.
Today’s Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, We pray that we might take care of ourselves and our own so that we can then better help others. Thank you for your love and for your grace. Amen.
Leave a Reply