Money

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I remember sitting at a table for two at Mugg 'n Bean in Melville, a couple of years ago.  I was there to have coffee with a man whose crystal blue eyes and long, grey hair tied together in a ponytail intrigued me so much that I knew it was destiny we should meet and converse and share our minds.  

His observation of giving beggars money, he said to me once seated, was a resentment they had towards the giver.  To him who does not have, receiving means he is in a position of lack, whilst the person giving is in a position of abundance.  Giving beggars money reinforces their lack rather than gain. 

I was brought up believing that when you give, you have nothing left.  This precept works on the logical mathematical equation that if you have 10 apples, and you give away an apple, you have nine apples.  If, therefore, you have ten apples and you give away ten apples, you have none left.  It is obvious.  

Along comes Jesus and says, when you give, you shall receive.  Instead of having to give, I need to give to have.  It is contrary to what I grew up believing.  It has not made logical sense.  By simple observation, I should be left with nothing if I give all I have.  But God says otherwise.  Furthermore, he says in Romans 10.11, If you put your trust in God, he will never put you to shame.  

It is hard to change a lifelong neural pathway of repeated, seemingly logical yet negative thoughts.  In this area of my life, I have been unfaithful.  Forgive me, Father.  I want the strength to trust in God despite my fears, to obey His Word to defy logic and reason, and to obey His Word as the highest authority and standard for my life.  Amen.

 

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