Bible Snack #56

​But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him (1 John 3:17)?
 
No one is saying that we should give what we don’t have. God does not expect us to go into debt for someone else, nor to impoverish our own families to benefit another. But if we see someone who has no shoes and we have two pairs, shouldn’t the extra pair go to the one who has none? I know about stock-piling clothing, having bulging closets, matching shoes, and having coats for certain outfits and occasions, but frankly, clothing is no longer a world-wide issue. I’ve been in destitute areas of Africa and seen the piles of used clothing sent by wealthy nations. We have created and then discarded so much clothing that everyone has something to wear.
 

Today the issue is money. There is tremendous stockpiling of money. Whatever the brother may need, we know it will cost money. If we shut up our heart and we do not share the excess we have, what does the Word say? The love of God has no place to live in our hearts. Do we really need to stockpile money? Don’t we trust God to be our provider? And doesn’t God use individuals to provide the needs? God may be waiting with a reward in His hand for those who provide financial needs, but if the heart is shut against being the provider in the name of God, the reward goes ungiven. Give your money with joy!
 
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
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