There is a show on the
stockpiled internet programs that deals with people who hoard things in their homes.
Some seem to have medical conditions that cause them not to physically be able
to clean it themselves; others are just attached to the stuff and like to go
through it from time to time. Then there are the collectors of things. They
have nice things stored in rooms that they will never use just because they
liked it when they saw it.
It reminds me of a person
who has a library full of books they have never and probably will never read.
It makes me sad really, but also makes me look around and wonder what I will do
with all my ‘stuff’ that has accumulated as we stayed in one home for 22 years?
Growing up we got rid of
things so that every time we moved there was little to pack up. We move quite a
bit up until I had two children we had a small amount of things to clean up.
Then by the time the third one came around there were toys for the kids and a
couple of ‘collectibles’ that people got me for gifts that I love, but now they
sit there and collect dust for the most part as I enjoy watching them. I get
joy from it but someday I will share that joy with my daughter and sons kids
and pass them on.
God’s Word is the same, it
is not meant to be kept in a room or on a shelf in our hearts but it is meant
for us to read and share, read and share, and share again. We have all been
given ‘Gifts’ of some sort, some teach, some preach, some do hospitality and
yet many of us are not using the gifts in the manner in which He gave them to
us to use them.
6 In
his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So
if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as
God has given you. 7 If
your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If
your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give
generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility
seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Romans 12:6-8
Are you
sitting on your gifts? Is there a word from God you have been given but never
shared with another person? Did you find Jesus and stuff Him in your pocket to
keep Him for yourself? God’s Word tells us to go and tell the world about Him,
and the Gospel story is meant to be told; so get off the gift, let Jesus out of
your pocket and share Him with others!
And this is God’s plan:
Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches
inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the
promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By
God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by
spreading this Good News. Ephesians 3:6-7
It is
God’s plan for us to receive the Good News and spread it, not for us to hoard
to ourselves.
We
need to be praying for one another, we need to be helping one another, and that
means everywhere that we go we need to have the heart of a servant as unto the
Lord. That means whatever we do; we do it like we were doing it for Jesus
Himself.
3 We always pray
for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard
of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 5 which come from
your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had
this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6 This same Good
News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit
everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you
first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
Colossians 1:3-6
When you get to attend a
Bible Study or church service don’t just enjoy the feast you had in the Word
and not tell someone how good it was, but instead go out and tell someone. If
you go shopping, tell your checker, or use the life lesson you learned in the
Word and serve others, or give them a kind word. There are many ways to share
what God gives you and not hoard it to yourself; as Nike says “Just do it!”
Use the gifts you have been
given to teach, to speak, to love on others, to speak a word of kindness, and
spread the gospel this way. Anyone can do it!
If you are timid to start
telling others then talk to a fellow Christian as you shop an share the blessings
with them; inadvertently others will hear you and they too will be able to
feast on His goodness! Shout it from the rooftops! Jesus is Lord! Jesus is
Risen! This is the perfect season to share the Gospel Story! Resurrection
Sunday is just around the corner! Invite someone to church this week!
Dear Heavenly Father open our
hears to hear and our mouth to speak what we hear and share the Love you give
us with others that they may know You, in Jesus name, amen.
Suggested Reading