God’s Word For Times Like TheseSample

Giving is like a muscle. To be strong, you have to exercise it, and to grow as a person, giving is the exercise. You can't really enjoy anything without sharing it. 

Zig Ziglar

PRACTICING HOPE FILLED GENEROSITY

In these days there is a lot of necessary activity - disinfecting, cleaning, isolating, cancelling, researching and so on. As God’s people, these words from Romans today remind us of a focus for our activity. While we need to do all we can to look after our own health, our eyes are not to shift from the needs of our brothers and sisters around us - persevering, contributing, serving, rejoicing, praying and practising hospitality. 

This is the absolute and overriding requirement of love. 

This is what it means to honour one another.

This is a generosity that comes from the Spirit, motivated by a deep concern for others and sustained by hope.      

Love is more about what we do than about how we feel.

Read through the verses again and note the simple practical focus. Now, “go and do likewise” (like Jesus)   

With your family

On a sheet of paper, draw your home and then the homes of some of your neighbours. Write their names if you know them. On some smaller, separate pieces of paper, draw some of the homes of family and friends who live away from you - grandparents, school friends, church families.

Talk about who might have the greatest needs?

What is one thing each member of your family could do for one or more of your ‘neighbours’ that reflects a hope filled generosity?

Lord may my needs and my selfishness not prevent me from seeing and serving those around me.