Giving

Several things have happened lately that have me thinking about giving and God's providence. When I was in college, I attended a congregation that was very giving towards me. By this I mean, that individual members made sure I was taken care of and had plenty of fellowship with them. I was often asked out to eat and rarely paid for my meal. There are a few who were very capable of doing this (financially) and did so often. I always felt guilty, but I remember one man telling me that one day when I was capable I would be doing the same things. Since then, I have matured as a woman and a christian, gotten married, etc. I have always remembered this and I have always tried to be conscious of my giving. I try to give generously to the church, but also to individuals who have a need. In return, I always try to be aware of how God returns this to me by help when I need it. As II Corinthians 9:6 says, "But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." This applies to many things in the spiritual realm, but in the context, Paul is specifically talking about giving. Knowing this, God also does not expect us to give beyond our means and sometimes a little is considered to be a lot in His eyes (for example: the story of the widow's mite in Mark 12).
When Jeremy and I are aware of a need or have something that could help someone else, we have always tried to help fill it. This comes in many forms from money to help moving to a meal. I feel that sometimes we do not help when we should, but we do try. In return, God has many times blessed us and our brethren have come through when we have a need. I would not have made it through the death of Josiah without God to lean on as well as all the support we had from brethren in this area and beyond. More than once when a finacial need has arised, we will get some sort of refund or bonus check we were not expecting. This does not happen every time, but it has happened. We are blessed with my husband's steady job and paycheck and we live within our means so that we are not often in need. This weekend we have 2 unplanned expenses, new tires and shocks for my husbands car and my dryer burned out. Then today, my husband found a free dryer and is picking it up tomorrow. I know that God's hand was in that although in reality it is a minor thing because we could have bought one if we had to. Just yesterday we were helping a christian family unload their moving truck (giving of ourselves) and today I am getting a free dryer. I have gained a new friend also as the family has kids very close to my kid's age and me and the mom have a lot in common. While God never promises that this life will be easy (why would we hope for heaven if it was?), He certainly provides the means for us to get by here. I have NO DOUBT that when I need help, all I have to do is lean on Him and He will provide. That is so comforting!