Give!

1 Samuel 25:11

“Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”

It was February and cold. We arrived at Disney Land in Florida with sunny skies and warm temperatures but things changed fast. We woke up the next morning ready to tackle Disney and the temperature was in the low 40’s with overcast skies and drizzling rain. Having packed all warm weather clothes, my whole family was not prepared to conquer Disney in the cold rain. We had already spent a lot of money to get here but little did I know the spending was not over by a long shot. That whole trip we would almost purchase an entire new set of clothes for all of our kids, who were young, and some jackets for my wife and I. I can remember not being very happy about all the money flying out of our pocket but we were in Disney Land and the fun must to go on. We came to Florida with provisions for a great trip and left with so much more stuff we are still finding things to this day in closets from that trip. Our girls needed to stay warm in order to have fun, so we found what they needed in the stores of Disney and oh my gosh it cost a lot. The fun we had during that trip will last forever. 

David was on the run from Saul and needed supplies/food for his men.  He comes across Nabal and Abigail.  These two were husband and wife and had a large place with abundant food and supplies for David.  David sends ten messengers to Nabal, a hard and foolish man, to ask for these things because David had not stolen from him or his estate while they were watching over them.  Nabal rebukes them and sends them away.  This angers David and he says to strap on your swords and starts marching with 400 men to strike down everything Nabal has including him.  Abigail hurries and goes to meet David with provision and an apology.  David accepts the apology and stops his plans to kill Nabal and his household.  As the story goes, Abigail tells Nabal how close he came to death and the Bible says he became like a stone.  Ten days later the Lord strikes Nabal dead.  Abigail becomes David’s third wife and much bloodshed was avoided. 

After reading this story, one thing that pops out is found in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The Lord may present you with an opportunity to bless someone today.  Think of Luke 6:38 and then think of Nabal and how foolish he was not to give to David’s men.  Nabal had more than enough to spare and chose not to be generous.  Be generous today, no only in your giving but in your speech as well.  Bless someone today with grace, your happy tone of voice, your servant attitude, your humble spirit.  You will be surprised how things turn around when you are generous.  A generous heart gives.  Be generous today.  Seek out ways to show generosity, you will be blessed because of it.

Prayer: Father, sometimes we have a tendency to hold on to the things we have like our money, our possessions, our time, and our words. Your Word says that you own the cattle on a thousand hills. In Psalms it says that the earth is yours and all that is in it. Help us to be generous with what we have been given by you. We pray that we will not hold on tightly to the things in our lives we have been blessed with, but we will be cheerful givers of self, money, food, time, possessions, and all that we have. You set an example for us by giving your son to us, Jesus Christ. He gave His life on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins so we can spent eternity with you, Father. I pray you fashion our hearts so that we can give knowing that if we seek you and your righteousness first you will provide all of our needs. In Jesus Name we pray, amen.