I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
A Life of Generosity
As Jesus was teaching people, there was a group of leaders who were not always the best role models. When these people helped others, they would boast about it and tell everybody the good deeds they did. They made sure to flaunt their good works publicly for everyone to notice them.
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:3 is directly related to what these leaders were doing. Jesus says that when we give to those in need, we shouldn’t let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. Essentially, our goal in giving to others should not be recognition.
Jesus’ teaching is about the condition of our heart. If we’re giving to others for the sake of being recognized for doing good, then we’re not helping people with the right motives. This should not stop us from giving to others, but it should guide our motives for doing so.
When we help others, we should do so primarily for their benefit—not our own. This means there’s no need to broadcast it. Instead, we should have humility when giving to the needy. We should seek to help others because of Jesus’ love for them—not because our pride, ego, or sense of obligation compels us.
Thankfully, when our giving is shaped by Jesus’ love, our posture toward giving begins to transform. 2 Corinthians 9:7 further confirms this when Paul says we should never give under compulsion or while complaining, but instead, we should be cheerful in our giving. Why? Because God loves a cheerful giver.
When we give humbly and cheerfully, it shows that our lives are being shaped by our generous God.
God’s desire is for us to become people who give to others without expecting anything in return. That’s why Jesus encourages us to give freely to others without expecting recognition or acclaim.
So take some time to think about some people in your life who are in need. How can you help them? What practical needs can you meet? Think about how you can help them this week without bringing attention to yourself.
God is With You
Throughout the Bible, there are various moments when God tells someone to not be afraid. Each one comes at a time when the hearer has every reason to be very afraid.
In one instance, Joshua, the leader of Israel after the death of Moses, was taking the Israelites to their promised land (see: Exodus 3). He was leading over one million people to a place God had promised, and it meant going through some overwhelming and terrifying situations.
In the midst of this, God commanded Joshua to do two things:
Obey the Word of God and, be strong and courageous because the Lord was with them. (See: Joshua 1:7-9)
In Matthew 28, Jesus says something similar just after His resurrection. He is with His eleven disciples and He tells them:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, ...
