Trying to Out-Give God

Sounds ridiculous to try to out-give God, right?

It is.

But it's also fun to try!

This past month we've been trying to get rid of a lot of stuff, including a lot of Elliott's baby things he has outgrown. Most people would say to hold on to it all since we plan to have another child in the future, but we hope and pray to be in Brazil by that point so we won't be bringing it all with us anyway. So we were able to give most of his big items to a family at our church who just had a PRECIOUS baby boy. We were so glad that we were able to be a blessing to them.

We could have sold the items and gotten a little money to buy E some shoes and a couple of other things that he "needs" but we decided to see how God would take care of us.

The next week, He gave us $460 that we weren't expecting. The items we gave wouldn't have been worth that if we had sold them. OUTDONE!

For E's birthday, instead of gifts we asked everyone to purchase a gift card or give a donation to a single mom of four at our church that has had a rough go for a while now. If I told you the story of what this family has been through, you'd think I was making it up. Anyway, we decided it would be much better to give to this family rather than have a ton of toys that Elliott would only play with for a few minutes or some clothes he would outrgrow in the next few months. Thanks to the generosity of those at the party, we raised $300 for this family! Praise the Lord!

So what happened next? Also while at the party, someone gave us a gift of $300. OUTDONE again!

So what's the lesson I've learned? Give, give, give! Don't give so you will get, but give freely from a joyful heart and you will no doubt watch as God moves in ways above and beyond what you would have imagined. He's good like that.

And when He blesses you again... give some more!

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20.35

[Disclaimer: We are not implying that by giving, you will automatically receive or that you should give for the purpose of receiving. We just want to share how God has blessed us recently and give Him the glory. He is good and He is faithful, all the time... even if He doesn't provide like we think He should!]

Elliott devouring his cake at his first b-day party!