GIVING 101: IT IS NOT ALWAYS MONEY!!

A NEW New Year's Resolution

Many people throw money at problems because they can, even unsaved people do that. It's important that we understand the significance of giving when it requires more of us; more of our time; more of our attention; more of our prayers; our faith. Look over to the right of this blog for a list of ideas for giving...

Here are some benefits:

1. It helps us gain perspective. We see firsthand the hardships that others endure and may possibly appreciate our own abundance.
2. It helps us develop compassion. Hearing about the hardships of others helps to develop compassion and a broader world view.
3. We realize that we can make a difference. We learn that we have the power to bring dignity, hope, and joy to others.
4. We can feel proud. We should want to make a positive impact and feel like contributing members of society, not just pay in church collection consumers.

Ways to give:

1. Bring breakfast to the homeless.
2. Make homemade gifts and deliver them to sick children or the elderly.
3. Adopt a family by bringing them food or necessities during the week. You can find a family in need through our church or the Salvation Army.
4. Volunteer as a family at a homeless shelter or nursing home.
5. Show thoughtfulness to single parents by seeing if you can help with an errand.
5. Donate toys to toys-for-tots or clothes to the Salvation Army.

Now, won't these giving ways require planning, caring with the love of Christ, more effort, time, and more prayer? We have no excuse not to incorporate at least one of these, or some of your own idea, into our New Years Resolution!

And God makes this promise in Proverbs 19:17:
"If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!"

HOW TO DEVELOP SELF CONTROL

God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NCV)


God wants you to develop a self-discipline that pushes you to do things, even as others are giving up.

Six key expressions of self-discipline:

People with self-discipline master their moods. They live by their commitments, not their emotions. People who do the right thing even when they don’t feel like it accomplish most of what gets done in the world! “A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” (Proverbs 25:28 LB).

People with self-discipline watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths. “He who guards his lips guards his life” (Proverbs 13:3 NIV).

People with self-discipline restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? “If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it” (Proverbs 19:11 GNT).

People with self-discipline stick to their schedule. If you don’t determine how you will spend your time you can be sure that others will decide for you! “Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility … Make the best use of your time” (Ephesians 5:15–16 PH).

People with self-discipline manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went! “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets” (Proverbs 21:20 LB).

People with self-discipline maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements. “Every one of you should learn to control his body, keeping it pure and treating it with respect” (1 Thessalonians 4:4 PH).

The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow.