Give till it hurts

Some of you may have read my previous entry about a "challenge." Well, I have a new challenge. I am challenging myself and anyone else who will join me to give to God "until it hurts." I am challenging you all to give sacrificially. The next time you go to buy your kid a game console, a video game, new clothes, or whatever it is they want, stop and think about whether it is a need or not. Or if you are like me stop and think before buying the latest gadget, maybe new shoes or clothes, or thinking if you just had that new phone you would be so much happier.

To be honest as of late I have struggled with the last item on that list. I have had thoughts that I just had that new phone of gadget I would be so much happier. Just a few weeks ago I had the money to buy one of those new gadgets or a phone, but instead I gave it away to some missionary friends and some other organizations that I felt could use the money better than I could.

I have also struggled with the idea of a savings account. I see it as a good idea most of the time, but I think that for most Americans it becomes our "safety blanket." This idea I think has spilled over into the Christian faith. I feel that instead of depending on God to provide for us, we want to have our "safety blanket" to save us. For example lets say that you have been saving money for a few months or maybe a year or 2 and you hear of a missionary or ministry that has a need exactly the amount you have saved and you give it all away to them. To me that is living by faith. To the world that is stupid. You just got rid of your safety blanket. I would call this giving "until it hurts."

The challenge that I have given myself is to "give until it hurts." Be willing to give up some comforts of my life to help others. This whole idea came to my mind after reading about a Palestinian Christian who was reflecting on how good his life was in Palestine compared to those who live in Somalia. His observation challenged me to be more willing to give up my comforts to help others. Also throughout all this I have had a passage of scripture rolling around in my head Matthew 6:19-21


^{19 x}“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where ^ymoth and rust⁵ destroy and where thieves ^zbreak in and steal, ^{20 x}but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

^x ch. 19:21; Luke 12:21, 33, 34; 18:22; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10, 17–19; Heb. 13:5

^y James 5:2, 3

⁵ Or worm; also verse 20

^z ch. 24:43

^x [See ver. 19 above]

The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. Wheaton : Standard Bible Society, 2001, S. Mt 6:19-21

My goal is to find an organization or missionary each month and contribute to their ministry at the same time cutting out something that I don't need. I hope some of you will join me in this challenge. If you do and are willing I would like to know who you are supporting.