Sharing what we have
There are people in the world who don’t have enough food to eat or water to drink. There are people who don’t have a home. God loves them just as much as God loves us, and God is their shepherd too. Sometimes the way God watches over people is by helping people who do have enough (like us) to care for those who don’t. God has made this world so that if we all share, everyone will have enough. How can we share what God has given us?
Read It
2 Corinthians 8:12-15
12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.” - NRSV
2 Corinthians 8:12-15
12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.” - NRSV
Do It
Find a way that your family can share with others. Here are some ideas:
Find a way that your family can share with others. Here are some ideas:
- Global projects:
- Sponsoring a child
- Giving toward digging a well, providing food, or other basic needs
- Buying an animal for a village
- Shopping for a school kit
- Local projects:
- Volunteering at a soup kitchen
- Helping with outreach through your church
- Personal projects:
- Bringing a meal to a family you know could use it
- Making cookies and taking them to people who need comfort
- Going and visiting someone who’s lonely
- Sorting through toys and putting surplus toys in a box, then taking it to a local agency (childcare center, shelter, etc) so the toys can be used by children in need.
Pray It
God, thank you for all you have given us. Thank you for the way you work through the people you have created to help everyone around the world have enough. Help us to know more ways to share what you have given us so that no children have to go hungry. Help us to see the needs of others and know how you want us to help them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God, thank you for all you have given us. Thank you for the way you work through the people you have created to help everyone around the world have enough. Help us to know more ways to share what you have given us so that no children have to go hungry. Help us to see the needs of others and know how you want us to help them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sing It
Enough For All (Bryan Moyer Suderman)
You can preview the song on iTunes.
If you like what you hear, order a CD (http://www.smalltallmusic.com/cds/new-world-coming-compilation-album/). All of Bryan Moyer Suderman's music is based on solid Anabaptist theology, and gives great language to families for talking about faithful living.
Enough For All (Bryan Moyer Suderman)
You can preview the song on iTunes.
If you like what you hear, order a CD (http://www.smalltallmusic.com/cds/new-world-coming-compilation-album/). All of Bryan Moyer Suderman's music is based on solid Anabaptist theology, and gives great language to families for talking about faithful living.
