IT'S TIME TO START GIVING AGAIN by Robert Soto (Posted on an email from Words from the Creator)

IT'S TIME TO START GIVING AGAIN
By Robert Soto
Posted on an email from Words from the Creator

December 2, 2009

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 "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."

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" are the words from a song I have heard for years. It seems like people are starting to enjoy the festivities of Christmas. People seem to change at this time, both for the good and for the bad. But one thing is for sure -there seems to be a greater spirit of giving during this time. We buy gifts for people we care about and sometimes even for those we do not care for. But it's the signs of the times and the signs of the times say to give. Many will max out their credit cards and go broke for the sake of giving. Then December 26 comes along and the spirit seems to disappear. A long time ago, so it was told to me, our Indian people had the spirit of giving more than just a short season of the year; but it was a spirit that went on throughout the year. They made sure the orphans and widows were taken care of. They made sure people in need had what they needed. We were not only a tribe, but a family who looked after each other. The spirit of giving happened year round.

Giving is something God the Creator desires of us, not just once or twice a year, but three hundred and sixty-five days of the year. For there is blessing in giving. There is blessing in knowing you have helped someone in need. It seems like the more you give the more you are blessed. Paul said, "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." As you give to others, God will give to you. As you increase your love to others, God will give increase to you. He who supplies the seed to the sower and the bread for food will increase what you need to help others even more. This was the way it once was for our people, as they gave to others out of the abundance He gave to them and took care of them. It's time to get into the spirit of giving again - not just once a year, but every day of our lives.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church