Well, not only is this place filled with people living by faith, many of whom don’t have much money, if any, and not only is it a place where in spite of that reality the Riley family can leave its room unlocked and anyone can leave a wallet out in the middle of our gathering area without fear, but also it is a place where people are generous and giving their possessions away.
Tonight we (our Crossroad Discipleship Training School (CDTS) staff and students) worshiped by giving. We simply prayed that God would reveal to us whether He wanted us to give anything away. Then we prayed to whom we should give the gift He asked us to give. It was a big hard to do at first because sometimes we feel like giving needs to be really private. As we gathered together with God’s answers in our hearts, we took turns standing, giving, and explaining how God had moved us to give. Some gave confessions, all gave words of encouragement, some gave teddy bears, some gave clothing, some gave money, some gave jewelry, including a valuable diamond ring and another some beautiful diamond and gold earrings, and one of our fellow CDTS students even gave away their new Volkswagen car to a family of four who also are students in the CDTS. And then the giver and the recipient would pray for one another. It was absolutely one of the most amazing worship services I have ever been a part of.
Our kids participated and so many were touched when they brought their gifts. We encouraged nothing on their parts. We simply told them what the service was about. It is amazing how generosity multipies geometrically and takes out the spirit of Mammon. All of our kids’ hearts were just overflowing, as were ours.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!