Affluence to Generosity

Yesterday...

I wrote about the abundant, overflowing and indescribable heart-blessings that God has so graciously showered our family with as a result of our sponsorship of children with Compassion International. It's truly been a spiritual journey like no other. It has stretched us, grown us, changed us!

I wouldn't trade it for anything else!

And honestly... having learned, over these past few years, to live simply so that we can give generously... we've found ourselves to be happier and more content! We certainly have realized how abundantly blessed we truly are... because even in giving away, we still don't lack anything materially-speaking. 

This is the reality of how abundantly blessed materially we all are --- those of us who live in this affluent society called the First World! Did you know that if you make $25,000/year, you are among the top 19% in the whole world? 

I am currently reading the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity by Ronald J. Sider and the paragraph I read just yesterday really stuck with me...

In a consumer society that increasingly measures a person's worth and importance by the amount of his or her material possessions, biblical Christians will reject materialism without falling into asceticism. They will delight in the splendor of the material world but not forget that things can not ultimately satisfy. They will enjoy the good earth and celebrate its abundance without neglecting sacrificial sharing with the needy. They will distinguish between necessities and luxuries. They will enjoy possessions while recognizing their seductive danger. When forced to choose between Jesus and possessions, they will gladly forsake the ring for the Beloved. {Page 105}

Forsake the ring for the Beloved!

Friends, it is my prayer that I will always forsake the ring for the Beloved! How about you?

In this affluent society that we live in, it is so easy to get lured into the trap of wanting more... and justifying those luxuries into necessities. May we always seek to be biblical Christians... may we always choose to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.

On this Saturday...
I urge you to take 23 minutes of your time to watch this newly released short film from Compassion International called Rescuing the Future:



Friends, I hope that this video will help you move from affluence to generosity... to forsake the ring for the Beloved... because the abundant joy that results from giving away and reaching out to the needy is something truly worth celebrating!

This month of October, I am participating in a blog link up called 31 Day Series. I will be writing about Celebrating JOY! Click on the banner below for 1000+ other topics! 

Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!