Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
When I first started taking care of Miss Zora, she said, “Don’t get lost in here! I’m a hoarder!”
I didn’t realize the full extent of that comment until her son had Ron and me clear the house out after she passed. As we were working, I began to see some of the same tendencies in myself, and then began to think on what I’ll call “spiritual hoarding.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”
I especially love the last part, ‘so that they may take hold of that which is Life indeed.’ I capitalized it because it’s His life we’re to live. Caring for Miss Zora was very hard for me. I was way out of my comfort zone, especially towards the end, if I stayed in my head. I would cry on the way to work sometimes and say, “I can’t do this, Lord, help me.” As long as I allowed Him to help me it was easy. A lot of times I would feel His manifest presence, and I’ve never felt more alive than being at the end of my ability, letting Him flow through me to others.
Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
How will others know the love of the Father if we don’t love others? What does love look like? It looks like Jesus, and Jesus looks like the Father. Loving others is His life flowing through you.
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.”
I thought, ‘why like food’? Food is satisfying, nourishing and it builds you up.
The word “will” is to love, beloved, and a Christian. Accomplish is to consummate (in character); consecrate, finish, fulfill and make perfect.
Jesus was loving and ministering to Miss Zora through me. We’re His earthen vessels. (2 Corinthians 4:7) He wants to touch others through us. To me, spiritual hoarding is not participating with Him so He can touch others. It doesn’t have to be through a ‘ministry’, but just in your every day life. I went to Aldi last week and this young woman wouldn’t meet my eyes. I discerned that she was self conscious about her teal colored hair. I told her that hair color did amazing things for her eyes. It did, and she was really pretty. She had probably heard otherwise, but I spoke what He said. It’s as simple as that. Lift others up, don’t tear them down. Help when you can, cry with them or just hold them in your arms.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Let’s not hoard His love. Be kind to the store clerk. Give generously. Encourage others. Donate time, food, money or whatever is needed.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Abba, thank You for choosing us to live through. Help us to love the ones we meet each day. Help us to discern needs and to meet them. Father, you are so good and kind. Help us to count on You to minister Life to others. You are the best Father ever and we love You so very much. Amen and so be it.
