Missing the Mark

One of my biggest fears/struggles that I have had great victory in but still slide back into is trusting the Lord with all He has given me and living life open-handed.
I easily become entangled in the argument "What about my needs?"
And more often than not, I come across people acting in a way that reverberates with my heart and it's old habits.

The birth of the church, as written in the book of Acts, is marked by a generousity the majority of us cannot even fathom.  We want to give ourselves a pat on the back when we tithe or donate out of our excess, but the newly converted lived life in such a way that there was no one in need.

 Don't miss that.  "All who believed were together and had all things in common.  And they were selling their possesions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." (Acts 2:44).

That means, the needs that you had were met.  We didn't have to put ourselves in debt; we didn't have to spin in our anxiety over how we're going to make the next meal or pay the rent or take our child to the doctor.

But now, more than ever, steeped in our "me-ism" American culture, it's all about filling our coffers, satisfying our appetites and biggering our houses... And then, if anything is left over, maybe we can throw some scraps to the person in need.  Why else are there so many government assistant programs to feed the stricken and get medicine for the sick?
What if we stopped looking to meet all our wants, desires and needs?  What if we looked to a good God who blesses us and delights in giving - in fact, teaches on "your Father's good pleasure" to provide for us (Luke 12:32)?

Truth is, if you look back to what you made/spent 10 years ago, you weren't satisfied then and you're certainly not satisfied now.  It's only your "needs" that have grown; you can afford the 3000 square foot house and the $400 payment on a new car. Discontentment breeds discontentment and who ever downsizes or simplifies? 

It's absurd if you think on it.  You're given good gifts, completely undeserved, at the right time.  Yet when it comes time to "pay it forward" you can't seem to let go of your wants, needs, desires.  You have an over abundance of money and you seek to hoard it, to earn more off of it, to further your kingdom instead of using it for the eternal kingdom.

To that, these words are still true: "Fool!  This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:20-21).

Step outside the flow of culture for a moment.  Stop comparing what you have or don't have to others.  What is the Lord's path for you?  Not your wants or hopes, but His good, perfect, and pleasing will (Romans 12:2).  How can you use what you have at this very moment - gifts, talents, abilities, goods - to bless others and further the gospel?

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be in fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you.