Giving - Generosity - Gifting

What kind of giver are you? What kind am I? 
Do your friends consider you a giver?

Pastor Robert Morris (GatewayPeople.com) started the year talking about the amazing ways the church has grown and expanded in 2012.  I always look forward to hearing all the things that God is doing, has done and what an amazing plan God has for the coming year. 
One thing Pastor Robert says when talking about the "folks at Gateway" is that they are "outstanding givers".  He remarks at how blessed the church is that "a majority of the members give regular - both in tithing and offerings"  He even says we are fantastic givers! 
When I hear him say this I can't help but think how the principle of giving is at work here. Generosity begets generosity.  I truly believe God wants to show the world what an amazing Giver He is.  And I think He does that in part, through His people.  Not just "The Church" .  Do you think Gateway givers are getting better at giving because they are just naturally that way - or that it's part of the demographics in the neighborhood?  Maybe it has something to do with the generosity they are learning and seeing.  John Maxwell says "Everything rises and falls on leadership".  It's that "begetting" principle  - or trickle down effect. 

In Luke 6:38 Doctor Luke says in the Amplified Version - "Give, and (gifts) will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into the (the pouch formed by) the bosom (of your robe and used as a bag).  For which the measure you deal out (with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others), it will be measured back to you.

What an amazing principle - that's God's plan.  I believe God is an amazing Giver - and He wants us to be like Him in giving.  You probably already know - that's not the nature of this world we live in to be givers. The message of the world is ME First and Me Now!   We live exactly opposite of God's giving principle.  Left to ourselves we are selfish --always looking out for ourselves - which in turn leaves always looking and never finding what really satisfies us.   No one has to teach us how to be selfish - it's our in our nature - but it doesn't have to rule!   We don't have learn the principle of selfishness.

It comes down to trust (doesn't it usually?) Trusting God's principle rather than our nature. We can learn to let this principle become our NEW nature  - and become a true GIVER!.

When you think about becoming a better giver,think about more than money and things.  Think about where you may be selfish.  Are you selfish in your habits? In your relationships? In your attitudes?

The Message Bible reads - "Giving away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back-- given back with bonus and blessing.  Giving, not getting, is the way.  Generosity begets generosity."

I challenge you to join me in asking God to show you the areas He wants you to grow in and help you to become a better giver. 

Show us today Lord, one person, one way, one place we can give like you today.
Make me a better giver.



 

Taking To Flight - Lessons From Birds

Steps to Taking Flight
 Step 1. Flapping=staying in constant motion. May seem awkward and lots of energy is needed. Gracefullness, however, is not required ;)
Step 2. Gliding= coasting,building speed...sometimes gravity helps move us along(when we take a leap) Gliding can't last forever - so learn and improve whenever possible.
Step 3. Soaring= strong wings required that are capable of catching an unseen current ... (current: a thermal wind moving straight from earth to heaven)
Fact:
Soaring eagles mount upward without moving a feather and can soar up to 80 mph. But they all started with this same process.
It's an incredible thing to witness a soaring eagle. They always give me the impression they are brave and daring and even fearless. Yet they are also known for their
I can imagine moving from flapping to gliding and then eventually taking that leap into soaring! 
You have to rely on catching the current --
Eagles soar
Is. 40:31 ....they will mount up with wings as eagles....

Looking Forward 2012

It's that time again...
How many of us make New Years Resolutions?  How many write them down?
If you'd like to increase the chances of actually fulfilling your resolutions this year ... take note...
Writing down your resolutions means you actually take time to think, evaluate and set goals.
Now take the next step and write them down. Even better create categories like PERSONAL, BUSINESS, FINANCIAL, SPIRITUAL  Then create resolutions under each.  Becoming resolute about them will take some time.  If you can write them down, then reduce them down to WORDS or even better PICTURES you can then take them wherever you go.  Here's the idea.
For instance - if my goal or resolution is to get FIT (eat right, exercise, lose weight) my word is FIT!

We use this same exercise in business planning and goal setting.  I ask the question "what's the KEY to keeping your goals in front of you?" Because most of the time the goals slip when we fail to keep them in front of us.
I truly believe small daily habits can make the biggest change in our lives and our business. So, here's the habit.  Focus on your goals daily. Insert them into your day. PUSH them into your path so that you MUST stop even for just a moment and re-focus.  That doesn't mean you read them or resolve them daily - just remember them and re-focus. It's like looking at the GPS to make sure we're still on the right path to our destination.  Sometimes we have to stop and recalculate as my GPS says. :)  
Placing these words or pictures that represent your 4  or 5 big goals this year in your daytimer is one way to do that. Another idea is to enter them as reminders into your phone.  Enter an appointment monthly with yourself to think about your goals and re-evaluate your progress. Make small changes and improvements.  Another idea is to take the words or pictures you have chosen and reduce them to a small keychain size - laminate and carry on your actual KEYCHAIN.
Hopefully this will keep us moving in a FORWARD motion toward achieving our resolutions and goals!
Happy New YEAR!

"Make good habits and they will make you."  Parks Cousins