Community.
It seems every person we come across lately, especially the homestead crowd, has the same thing on their heart. Build community.
The community that God has knit together in our lives this past year and increasingly these past few months is humbling to watch and be a part of. Within this community the Spirit of Giving is alive and well. Everyone makes sure everyone is taken care of and a natural trade and barter system has emerged.
We've witnessed the most beautiful things and the timing could only be God.
"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."
- Proverbs 11:25 NLT
We've cooked meals for people and we've been blessed with meals. We've given food and we've been blessed with an abundance of food. We've given clothes and been blessed with clothes. We've given money and been blessed with money. The list goes on. Every need we have had has been taken care of. We completely ran out of onions and a few days later we were given a half flat of onions that was given to a friend by a fellow homesteader who lives 2.5 hours away that blessed them with an abundance of equipment and items for their homestead all because my husband saw a post and shared it with them instead of trying to go get all of the items for himself.
This didn't just happen over night. For years we sewed. We gave. And gave. And gave.
I've had to repent because at times I begged, when Lord, when is my break? Where is my help? I give and I give. I help and I help. When is my turn?
"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith."
- Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
If I only knew what He had in store for me, I probably wouldn't have grumbled and complained from time to time when times were hard.
When we talk about the Spirit of Giving, we aren't only talking about monetary giving. Give what you have including your time. When you give, give generously and give with a grateful heart. It doesn't matter the amount. What God is looking at is your heart. Are you giving your first and best to help others? Are you giving your all? Or are you giving a tiny portion of what you have and hoarding or storing up for the rest for yourself?
"Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do."
- Deuteronomy 15:10 NLT
Keep in mind, there are many kinds of poor. Not just financially poor. Poor in spirit. Poor in love of Christ. Poor in friendship and community. Poor in health. Etc.
So help those you can and help where you can. Help those the Lord directs you to help.
"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive."
- Acts 20:35 NLT
As a result of this community of generous hearts emerging, we have seen resources flowing and everyone's needs being taken care of. My husband helped a friend split firewood this past weekend and helped take 2 truck loads to their house. These friends have blessed us in numerous ways. The wood was given from another friend of ours. The friend receiving the wood is now replacing the porch for the friend who gave the wood. The same day my husband was helping our friend gather wood for his family, we found out they also needed a washer for a couple of weeks because theirs went out. We happened to have an extra washer sitting in the garage that someone had given us because we upgraded when yet someone else gave us a very nice washer and dryer set. But during the time we had the older washer and dryer we were content. We were just so thrilled to have a washer and dryer because there was a time where I had to haul laundry with kids in tow. What a blessing it was just to have a washer and dryer in our home.
This is just one example of the many. These kinds of things are happening all the time in our life, more than I can remember and more than I can write about. You can't out give God.
I've been in such awe lately watching God move and watching resources freely flow.
It makes it easier for resources to flow when we come to the realization that none of it is ours anyway. It all belongs to the Lord. When we try to hold onto everything whether it's money, resources, or items, and aren't willing to part with things unless we are getting something out of it or because we might lack it later, we are operating out of fear. We are telling God we don't trust Him with His things or with our lives. That is actually a more stressful way to live. We are refreshed when we give. Giving brings about great peace in our lives. When we have enough faith to let go when the Lord says let go, we immediately take things out of our own hands and out of our own strength and give it to God. It requires great faith, but it's an easier way to live if we can reach that level of trust in the Lord. Our time, our finances, our belongings. It is all from the Lord.
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!"
1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT
"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.' And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
'They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.'
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!"
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NLT
So build your community, meet your neighbor, find a class, find a church, get out there and meet new people. I once avoided all of this, but we are called to live in community. We simply need each other.
Learn to give and give generously. Give what the Lord puts on your heart and do so in faith, not fear.
Remember, we can't see or know what God knows. We can only have the faith to listen, obey, and take the first step. Then more will be revealed to us. We have to trust that He knows what He is doing in our lives because we can't see the bigger picture that the Lord has for us. Our part is obeying, God's part is orchestrating. Don't get those backwards. Only when we obey can we sit back and watch God's hand move. That level of faith is a beautiful thing.
Here's your challenge:
How can you start giving today?
How can you help others?
What has the Lord put on your heart?
"How can you be the hope and help in a world full of hopelessness and helplessness?"
- Joel Salatin
If you're needing prayer, we would love to pray for you and with you. You can submit a prayer request here and we will begin praying for you.