Thursday, February 18, 2010

These Old Skinflints

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Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:8

Recommended Reading
Matthew 10:5-10

According to Clive Anderson’s book, Travel with C.H. Spurgeon, one day the great London pastor spoke to a group about his various ministries for the impoverished and destitute of the city. Afterward he passed his hat around for the collection. No one put anything into it, and some in the crowd wondered what Spurgeon would do next. The famous preacher simply bowed in prayer and said, “I thank you, O Lord, that at least these old skinflints have given me my hat back!”

There’s no shortage of “skinflints,” but how different to be in the presence of those who radiate grace! How wonderful to be a Grace-Giver. We may not always have much to give, but there’s something wonderful about being generous with our time, treasure, and talents—ready to give an extra dollar, spend an extra moment, tackle an extra task, or go an extra mile.

It’s not enough just to return the hat. We should put something into it. God’s grace is freely given that we might freely give.

As thou, Lord, hast lived for others, so may we for others live; freely have Thy gifts been granted, freely may Thy servants give.
Somerset Lowry

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