40Acts 2016 - 6 ' Cupboard Love '

One key to a generous life is to be good stewards of what we have.

Today's the day to say I'm bored of the hoard, and put the stuff we have to even better use.
What do you have hidden away in cupboards that someone else could benefit from?
Who might need/want it?
Could you give it away or lend it out today?

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never even seen – don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 

What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:30–33 The Message)

‘Your living room is where you share the story of who you are,’ wrote a certain well-known Swedish retailer. I wonder what your living space says about who you are.

Looking across our lounge I see: a bed-settee (we love having people to stay), candles (remembering our babies who died in miscarriage), rugs (reducing fuel consumption as we care for God’s world), mugs and strewn items of clothing (evidence of four young people in the house), a box of musical instruments (still there from our pre-school era!), and a returns package (our offspring are on first-name terms with Amit the delivery man).

This question could extend to your wardrobe: does it hold a select few items regularly worn, or is it clogged up with clothes tied to your aspirations for the future (different bodyshape/job)? I like William Morris’s words, ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ It’s a great benchmark.

Jesus, in Matthew 6, says: ‘What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, not to be concerned with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving’ (The Message).

One key to a generous life is to be good stewards of what we have. Self-help books and TV shows sing the praises of decluttering. Giving things away benefits the people who receive, but it is also about freeing us up to respond to God’s giving. As you consider the three challenges for today, I wonder what the things you give away say about who you are.

I had a couple of items to give to a homeless lady back in the summer, and God prompted me to also give her the bracelet from my wrist. This had no financial value, but was special as a tangible reminder of God with me when I was suffering from anxiety.

Sometimes we are called to give of our best, inspired by God who has given the most precious gift of all.

Today's blog was written by Anne Bookless. 
Find out more about her and support her chosen charity here.

To see the whole of today's challenge - click HERE