Every once in a while, the queen would disguise herself and take a walk
alone along the country side. On one of these occasions, it suddenly
begun to rain heavily and she rushed for shelter to the nearest cottage
she could find.
A lady came to the door in a huff, and opening it a few inches she barked, “What do you want?” The queen did not introduce herself. She merely said, “Can I borrow an umbrella?”
“Just a minute,” grumbled the woman. She did not welcome her in, instead she slammed the door, was gone for a moment and returned to bring the rattiest umbrella she could find, one with broken ribs and small holes.
The queen thanked her and went away with the ragged umbrella. The next day, the queens full escort, dressed in full uniform pulled up in front of the cottage.
One of the escorts knocked on the door and returned the umbrella to the woman saying, “Madam, the Queen thanks you.” As he walked away he heard the woman mutter, If only I’d known I would have given her my best.”
Let’s be real, if you knew for a fact that the old dirty beggar who sits at the street corner was actually an angel in disguise, would that change the way you related with him? Of course it would.
You and I would make sure we pass by the street corner everyday and give the “old dirty beggar” something to eat and something to keep him warm.
Now, we would not do this consistently not because we care, but probably because the guy is an angel and if we are kind to them, then they will put in a good word for us to God and He will shower us with blessings.
Selfish favors, that’s what I call them. The same applies to the way some give in church today. As long as it is packaged that the end result is you getting a major blessing from God, usually material, some of us will even give off all our savings.
No wonder many are being taken advantage of by rogue preachers, promising blessings and healing while they walk away with peoples life savings.You can give your life’s savings away in church, yet you cannot spend 100 shillings to buy bread for a needy family?
God care’s for the hungry, the stranger, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, and those in prison. Many of us do not want to be associated with such kinds of people and we would rather give to and hang out with the “who is who” not because we care, but because of what they can do for us.
Jesus said, "Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me." Let’s think about that the next time we cross paths with anyone who is helpless and in need.
Practical Application.
When you give or help someone, do it from the heart and not because you are expecting something in return.
A lady came to the door in a huff, and opening it a few inches she barked, “What do you want?” The queen did not introduce herself. She merely said, “Can I borrow an umbrella?”
“Just a minute,” grumbled the woman. She did not welcome her in, instead she slammed the door, was gone for a moment and returned to bring the rattiest umbrella she could find, one with broken ribs and small holes.
The queen thanked her and went away with the ragged umbrella. The next day, the queens full escort, dressed in full uniform pulled up in front of the cottage.
One of the escorts knocked on the door and returned the umbrella to the woman saying, “Madam, the Queen thanks you.” As he walked away he heard the woman mutter, If only I’d known I would have given her my best.”
Let’s be real, if you knew for a fact that the old dirty beggar who sits at the street corner was actually an angel in disguise, would that change the way you related with him? Of course it would.
You and I would make sure we pass by the street corner everyday and give the “old dirty beggar” something to eat and something to keep him warm.
Now, we would not do this consistently not because we care, but probably because the guy is an angel and if we are kind to them, then they will put in a good word for us to God and He will shower us with blessings.
Selfish favors, that’s what I call them. The same applies to the way some give in church today. As long as it is packaged that the end result is you getting a major blessing from God, usually material, some of us will even give off all our savings.
No wonder many are being taken advantage of by rogue preachers, promising blessings and healing while they walk away with peoples life savings.You can give your life’s savings away in church, yet you cannot spend 100 shillings to buy bread for a needy family?
God care’s for the hungry, the stranger, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, and those in prison. Many of us do not want to be associated with such kinds of people and we would rather give to and hang out with the “who is who” not because we care, but because of what they can do for us.
Jesus said, "Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me." Let’s think about that the next time we cross paths with anyone who is helpless and in need.
Practical Application.
When you give or help someone, do it from the heart and not because you are expecting something in return.
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