Corona Devo 321

The other day we got an impromptu invite to meet some friends at an indoor arcade and bowling alley.  Have you been to one of these types of places?  They entice kids and adults alike with their entertainment options.  There is a game (video/air hockey/skee ball/claw/laser tag) or bowling lane (bumpers up or down?), or menu item (bavarian soft pretzel with cheese dip or 1/2 pound burger?) to fit everyone's taste.  The only catch is you get what you pay for.  These places are lots of fun, but also cost lots of money.  

We had a (short) family caucus and the vote was unanimous that we would each (kids included) use money we had saved to enjoy a day of "special" fun with friends that we hadn't seen in a long time.  

However, upon arrival, we learned that our hosts had graciously paid for our bowling games and shoes, and loaded up the kids' gaming cards with tokens.  They had begun a running tab with fries and mozzerella sticks on the table waiting to be nibbled.  It was like Heaven.  

We protested being treated, but our hosts' minds were made up and their (generous) hearts were set.  And so we gratefully enjoyed. 

On the way home, as we chattered and gushed about having the time of our life, I drew a parallel between the bounty of our blessed "day out" and the bounty within our lives that God provides...and how He wants us to "spend" it.  

Our kids had a complete blast, but as I listened to their replay of the day, I came to realize that much of their time was spent sharing their bounty (which was never even rightfully theirs).  This is God's desire for us with our spoils-in-life as well. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.  -James 1:17  God gives us everything we have, and He watches to see if we will be good stewards of our hearts and His bounty.   

Our eldest two won six huge bouncy balls, and gave half of them away so that each kid desiring one went home with one.  They then taught the younger kids tips and techniques for winning tickets and prizes at the games.  They shared their game card tokens when one child ran out but "really wanted to win enough tickets" for a specific something.  Our daughter claimed plushies in double-digits from the claw machine or the prize counter, and she gleefully shared about "giving one to him, because he loved the alpaca", and "the chubby chicken to her because she really, really wanted it", and one baby animal to each kid in the group "so everyone got to take home something".  She still had three fluffy new animals sitting next to her in the car, but her joy in sharing the others seemed to surpass her possession of the three.  That's how God wants us to give to Him--cheerfully and knowing that it was never really "our" bounty to begin with, so why would we hoard it?  And what joy awaits us in sharing it? 

Don't admire my kids, because it's not them.  That's Jesus in them.  When you and I are in the right heart-set and mind-set that can be Jesus in us.  That kind of feeling in our hearts can only be Jesus.

God is clear in His claim to test Him in the bounty principle.  Human nature makes us greedy with what we "get" in life,  but the key to joy is sharing, and because it is the Lord who provides all that we have, He also deserves our obedience in giving back to Him.

Giving back to the Lord from our first fruits (the entire bounty of our pay/earning/treasure) was a measure of obedience that God established with the first humans He created, and this principle of obedience, honor and trust still holds true for us today.

Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift... ~Genesis 4:4

Our exciting day at the arcade was a blast and who could dream of a day like that for free?  But with open hearts and unselfish spirits, we gave back by sharing love and "our" bounty with others.  This is God's desire for us.  None of it is "ours" anyway.  Why must He so often find us tightly clenching our fists?  There is no joy in that, and I presume there is not a huge desire from the Giver to provide more blessing.  

Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  ~Malachi 3:7-12

Today, let's put God to the test.  But in doing so, we will also test ourselves.  Our faithfulness to Him.  Our generosity in giving back what He has blessed us with.  It's an interesting dance, and there is no room for pride or selfishness to cut in.  

God loves a cheerful giver.  ~2 Corinthians 9:7

That's how God wants us to give to Him--cheerfully and knowing that it was never really "our" bounty to begin with, so why would we hoard it?  And what joy awaits us in sharing it? 

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/