Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:2
"How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."
Liberality = GR sincerity, purity of mind. TG Generosity.
This made me think of those little videos I see where a homeless person is avoided by many, and then someone finally stops and gives them food or money. Then that homeless person goes to the other homeless people around them and shares. It is in trials that we come to learn what true want is. A good person will share even what little they have. There is a feeling that comes to you when you share willingly with others in their need. It reminds me of the widows mite.
"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."
(Luke 21:1-4)
I truly believe that not only does God know the heart of the giver, the giver knows their own heart too. When giving is done in righteousness you feel a sweet joy in your soul. When you give to be seen of others, even if only by the receiver, you will justifying the offering, and why they did or did not deserve more. It is in those moments of justification you award is your own vanity and pride. There is no true joy in the offering.
Day 3245
