Another "Begging Letter"
I was visiting a godly, older couple with whom I was closely acquainted (ok, it was my parents) and happened to observe them as they went through their mail. My mother, passing several envelopes to my dad, gave him her two-word summary of the contents of the envelopes: “begging letters.” They had been in the habit of giving regularly throughout their long lives to many charitable and mission-minded organizations, and as such, they regularly received updates and opportunities to pray and give some more. Dad opened the envelopes and mentioned the needs, then said something like, “We ought to send something along.” I smiled. I know those hearts.
It is the end of the year, and many are tallying their income and deciding if they have tithed properly or if they have room in the budget to give a year-end offering. Organizations have all sent out their “end of the year giving opportunities/challenges” as they look to meet budget. Without doubt if you have given anywhere this year, you have received several of these letters.
THIS YEAR, however, has been different. It is 2020. There is this feeling of impending doom- physically, emotionally, economically. Is giving wise in such an uncertain time as this?
Well, it all depends on where your greatest certainty lies.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4
And, of course:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
I hate financial stress. I would much rather have a severely reduced living situation than financial stress. So, if I want to avoid that extremity, the Word tells me not to worry, but instead, to give generously to the Lord. He will repay. Can I even begin to so accuse him to say that I am afraid if I give to others in need, that he would then allow me to be in need without being able to look to him for provision? How insulting! Rather, according to his bountiful person, his exquisite, matchless nature, he instead gives me the blessing of being able to refresh others and the additional blessing of receiving a blessing myself! How like him! So clever, so kind, so praiseworthy! And there is no person who is not given this opportunity, with the exception of a person who has absolutely nothing any day of their life, whomever they may be; I have not yet met them. How glorious! What a privilege to serve him.
And so today, I encourage you, brothers and sisters who know him, and you, those wondering who he might be, to give generously to the poor or the oppressed or to those who are sending the light to others, and see if you are not amply rewarded. Rewarded not only with a financial peace that passes understanding, but with the blessed state of “giving,” and with a sure return and meeting of all your legitimate financial need backed by Christ’s creditworthiness.
Those “begging letters” are indeed a golden opportunity, and whether your gift is $2.50 or $25,000.00, it will only be added back to you in values untold. Give generously, my friends!
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25