Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
Today we ask Rebekah to join us in the race of life to
give us insight about our life with God. Rebekah would say to us “Little did I
realize how a simple act of generosity would change my life and the lives of so
many other people. Little did I know
that my actions were the answer to a servant’s prayer and the plan of my
sovereign God. All I did was what I felt I should do. You must do the same: Give generously to others.”
For
when people ask for your help…
“GIVE GENEROUSLY TO OTHERS .”
Then
he prayed, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show
kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the
daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when
I say to a girl, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she
says, ‘Drink, and I'll water your camels too’--let her be the one you have
chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness
to my master.” Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on
her shoulder. Genesis
24:12-15
THE
REBEKAH PRINCIPLE
1.
You can’t be generous and LEAGALISTIC at the same time.
Each
man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
2.
You can’t walk the SECOND MILE
until you’ve walked the first
It’s easy for people to talk about the great and generous
things they intend to do in the future. But if they’re not being generous with
what they have now, then it is unlikely that they will suddenly change in the
future.
Whoever
can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is
dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10
3.
You can’t TAKE IT WITH YOU , but you can send it on ahead.
Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in
and steal. Matthew 6:19-20
4.
You can’t wait for the FEELING, It
will follow.
For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew
6:21
FINAL
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
“Even
the SMALLEST ACTS of generosity
make a difference.”
And
if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he
is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. Matthew 10:42
Rebekah - An act of drawing water: 10 Camels @ 20 gallons each = 200 gallons
Drawn at 5 gallon jar – 40 trips @ 4 minutes each = 2 ½ Hours.
“When you give, the IMPACT of your generosity often outlives you.”
I
sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work,
and you have reaped the benefits of their labor. John 4:38
“… with
the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2
In the moment of giving, you cannot image how your
actions might impact the lives of others in the future. Imagine what the world
would be like if:
· Michelangelo had said ‘I don’t do
ceiling.’
· Noah had said, ‘I don’t do boats’
· Moses had said, ‘I don’t do rivers’
· Mary had said, ‘I don’t do virgin
births’
· John the Baptist had said, ‘I don’t do
baptisms.’
· Peter had said, ‘I don’t do Gentile
discipleship.’
· Paul had said, “I don’t do letter.’
· Jesus had said, “I don’t so crosses!
Rebekah became the great (37) grandmother of the Jesus
Christ – the Messiah!
A lifestyle of generous giving will outlive you here on
earth and in eternity!
“When you give, you GIVE TO THE LORD!”
I
tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
Rebekah’s
prayer for us: Lord,
I ask that you would give my friends the eyes to see opportunities in the
everyday events of life, the hands to reach out and give more than what is
required or expected, and the hearts to do so much with motives that are pure
and not self-seeking. Help us to be generous as Jesus was generous. Give us
opportunity to put others before us and may we seek opportunities to give
generously in the here and now.
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