Our Echo

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” 2 Co 8:9.

This morning as I was doing my Bible Study the question was asked, ‘What Christ-like quality have you been inspired to pursue because you first saw it in someone else?’  My parents immediately came to my mind.  Their sacrificial giving whether in time or money was an example they continually set.  They would assess the need of the person and not their balance in the bank.  They would serve according to need, instead of the demands of their calendar.  They gave when they didn’t have it, and I’m sure sometimes they served when they didn’t feel like it.  Their generosity in many forms displayed a quality that I feel Jesus displayed while on this earth.  God stepped off His throne, laid down His power, took on the poor form of man and chose to die in poverty so that we could live in grace.  We can never give back to Him the equivalence that He gave to us.  But, we can certainly recognize how His poverty made us rich.

‘It made us rich in peace that doesn’t cut and run in the face of uncertainty.  Rich in contentment that knows how to ride both the waves of abundance and slim pickings.  Rich in intimacy with Him that oddly enough grows deeper and more precious in suffering’s soil.  Rich in joy whether by the gifts of material blessings that bring us a measure of happiness, or the joy that comes with giving our lives away.  Rich in life – abundant and eternal.’ All Things New, Kelly Minter, p. 113.

This is not just about signing a check that calculates 10% of anything coming in.  It is about praying for God to show a need, and then trusting Him to write whatever that amount is without considering our bank balance.  It is about pouring ourselves into service that will encourage another, even if it messes up our calendars.  It is about looking to the interest of others and having a generous spirit.  My parents had it right, and I pray for the generosity of heart to live the same way.  We all have something to give to others to bless them, whether it is money, time, prayer or fellowship.  We just need to show up and be there.  We are to echo the heart of Jesus.

‘So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.’ 2 Co 5:20