Dec 11.97: Light For The Day - "Giving"

"every man shall give as he is able, according to
the blessing of the LORD your God which he has
given you." 
-- Deuteronomy 16:17 (RSV)

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"Giving"

The line for the soup kitchen was blocks long. The
people had come from all over the city to share in
a hot meal. So many different kinds of people
came, but most all of them were appreciative. 
It was nice to be able to do something for people
who were in such desperate need. 

One woman came up and told the workers,
"Last year I wasn't happy at Christmas, and I didn't
thank God for a thing. This year I've got something
to thank Him for. I thank Him for you, and for the
good meals you make for me. I don 't need much.
I just need a little. You give me more than I need,
and thanks to you I can give thanks to God."

Often we feel like if we can't give a lot we might is
well not give anything. That's sad, because it is
the little things which often mean the most. We
have within our power the ability to give a blessing
to someone this very day. We need to look for
way's to show our love to everyone around us.
If we will do that we will make God happy, we will
make others happy, and we will come to know
peace and joy which defies description. 

There is no greater feeling in all the world than to
touch the life of someone who is in real need.

Prayer:
If I do anyhing this day, 0 Lord, let it be to touch
a life in such a way as to make you known to them.
Help me to see the multitude of ways that I can
serve others. Bless me, I pray. Amen.

-- Dan and Nancy Dick

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"For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something
to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was in prison and you
came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when
did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty
and give you something to drink? When did we
see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing
clothes and clothe you? When did we see you
sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me.' "

-- Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV) -

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