Absorbing God Word
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Luke 3:11
Applying God’s Word
Thanksgiving has come and gone for yet another year. Most of us can say that our bellies are full, and our families are in good health. We can also boast of having a source of income, clothes to wear and food in the pantry for a rainy day. What are we really giving thanks for when this wonderful time of year rolls around? I am thankful for my freedom and liberty; for a place to openly worship my creator. I am thankful for a relatively safe place to be with family and friends every day of the year.
Growing up, my Thanksgivings didn’t resemble the pictures many magazines portray. We had turkey and all the trimmings, but not eaten with silver forks from fine china. What I remember most is the tradition of being together no matter what. It was a time to rejoice and be thankful for our many blessings, not a time to focus on what we didn’t have or what we hadn’t received.
I remember countless times as a child when folks went out of their way to share what they had with our family during times when we had very little. We weren’t exactly poor, but we struggled. My father’s work was seasonal and impacted greatly during the winter months. It was a time when no one in our neighborhood locked their doors. You could walk into a neighbor’s house, borrow eggs, milk, or sugar and leave them a note describing what was taken. I’m not sure we were able to return all that we borrowed or were given. When my dad was out of work, we would find money taped to our refrigerator door with no note or name. People who give like that understand what John is saying in the scripture above.
We are living in a time right now that pleads with us to take a close look at our giving and sharing; maybe our lack thereof. These are some of the hardest times I’ve lived in and I’ve lived through a lot of them. This is a great opportunity to give from our closets, share food from our pantries, and give money we have set aside for our own pleasure. It’s not easy to do, but it creates in us a freedom that liberates our selfishness and restores our thankfulness.
Accounting of God’s Word
Is everyday Thanksgiving for me or just one day out of the year?