Jan 26 2010
Wellspring of Joy
How many of you were asked these wonderful questions following Christmas, “How were your holidays and what did you get?” I anxiously awaited someone asking me these questions this year because I came up with great answers.
When people asked me what I got for Christmas, my reply was, “I got the joy of giving a computer to a new friend. I also got the joy of putting a well in a village in Africa. For Christmas, I also received the real pleasure of buying a little herd of sheep for some friends who live in the Caribbean. It was a wonderful, wonderful Christmas and I am so grateful that the Lord gave me ways to share with folks around the world.”
I love answers like that because it doesn’t mean that you’re boasting about yourself. Instead, it is talking about what you gave to others. Isn’t that what life is really about anyways? This Christmas when people ask you what you got, instead of reciting a list of gifts you received, tell them that you got the joy of loving others in the name of Jesus.
In fact, why wait until Christmas. Make each day special for someone in your life. Find ways throughout this year to allow that wellspring of joy within you to wash over others who might be downcast, without hope or just in need of someone to show them the way, the truth and the life.
God loves a cheerful giver. There is tremendous joy in giving out of our poverty rather than giving out of our wealth. The Macedonian churches experienced this and the Apostle Paul boasted about their generosity in 2 Corinthians 8:2-5:
“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”
It is in vain to merely give to charitable organizations if we do not first give to God. All we have belongs to Him so let’s be obedient to tithe, give offerings and sacrificially give to support missionaries. The joy of the salvation we have received should compel us to give our time, talents and resources to others.