Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Anyone can give, anyone can keep.


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 12:43-44
 
We make so many excuses in our daily lives on why we cannot afford to give. It's really a heart matter. I started this blog while my husband was in seminary and we were living on a part time income, I was expecting our first child, and we had medical bills coming in from my recent cancer surgery. Anyone can give.

"In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people." 2 Corinthians 8:2-4

Fru-Gal is a blog that exists to foster the heart of giving. If we intentionally live on less and are content with what we have, refusing the urge to spend more on ourselves and refusing to accept the lie that, "I'm not in a position to give," we will have more money to give to those in need. It's a constant practice.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

No, I do not need a cup of $4 coffee on my way to the grocery store. No, I do not need that adorable scarecrow decoration that's half off right now at Michael's and would look really cute on my front stoop. There's a gazillion ways the "I need more" lie creeps into my mind as I'm out and about or browsing deals in my inbox.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24


All those little purchases add up and I'm reminded of those who are starving right now. Those who are fleeing for their lives in Erbil. Those who lost their entire families to Ebola in Liberia. Those without the word of God in so many dark places. Suddenly, overpriced coffee and cute scarecrows sound pretty dumb and pointless.

"But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7

Frugal living for the grace of giving. Anyone can give and anyone can keep. You're either left with eternal reward or scarecrows at the end of the day.


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