Should Poor People Give?

Should Poor People Give?

~Chuch for All~

ACTS 20:35 NIV

35 . . . the Lord Jesus himself said: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Giving benefits the giver. The poorer you are the more you have a need to give.

Those who don't understand giving as planting seeds usually think it's wrong for a poor person to give to God. But giving is planting seed for a harvest.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 NKJ

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.

LUKE 6:38 NKJ

38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

By giving, seed is planted for a larger harvest of blessing. Nobody needs that more than a poor person.

Jesus commended a poor widow for giving all she had.

LUKE 21:1-4 NKJ

1 Then He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.

3 So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;

4 "for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had."

SAY THIS: Giving is a way to be blessed.

Five [5] Finger Prayer - Author Unknown

Phew, it has been such a long time since I last posted here. There are quite many things that happened in my life throughout the past few months. Let's just hope that I have the time to share it here :)

I saw this randomly on FB today. It is not something new, but I find it very beautiful and would like to share it here :)

This is beautiful – and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest and largest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, the prime minister, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4 The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray enough for them.

5... And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

7th Day of Chinese New Year ~ 人日快乐！=)

Today is the Seventh day of Chinese New Year and I am still at home, waiting to prepare to go Church later. Since I had some free time, decided to drop by at my own blog to have a look; to my surprise, I have been so quiet lately; my last post was in November.

Hmm, where should I start sharing?

Let's start with December 2012:

I started my new job in a legal firm at Bandar Menjalara, Kepong. I was informed that both my team members were on maternity leave, so I had to "one leg kick" in the month of December. A friend commented that I should stay in this firm because I was "less grumpy", that meant I like the job.

This job, I believe, is from God. During the Contemplative Retreat in September 2012, God assured me that I would get a job when I am back to Kuala Lumpur. Through a casual chat with an ex-colleague cum friend, I got this job through a casual interview with my current employer.

I believe that I really want to stay in this firm, because I have found myself a room nearby office to rent. To date, I quite like the job, but I still have a lot to learn, especially in terms of teamwork and communication skills. I hope that I would be able to brush up my conveyancing skills and knowledge so that I can be marketable in near future.

Christmas in 2012 had been quiet for me. I did not buy any gifts for anyone due to tight budget, but I shared my testimony with those whom I am close with via e-mail, hoping that they will be encouraged and blessed by my testimony.

2012, was a year of roller-coaster ride for me. On the positive point of view, it had been exciting and I am bolder and more courageous than I was in the past. On the negative point of view, I think there was none, because God had been with me throughout the period of trials, obstacles and challenges.

Ushering into the New Year, my resolution for year 2013 ~ FAITH! FOCUS! PERSEVERANCE!

Why so? Having gone through year 2012, I want to learn to live by faith, keep my focus on God and persevere on whatever circumstances that I need to go through this year.

I had a quiet birthday this year too. On my birthday, I was coming home from Surabaya. Hmm, what to share about this Retreat?

For the first time, I get to see Ps Philip Mantofa up close and shook his hand. I felt privileged because I got to see this man of God in person. I must say, I hope that I would be intimate with God, just like him.

Throughout the Retreat, we thank God for loving and kind friends from Indonesia who took care of us. They brought us around, helped us when we were in need, they were friendly, caring and loving. We felt warmth like a family with them around.

As for the Retreat, I felt that I was physically exhausted, so I could not really focus on the sharing during daytime. Nonetheless, I hope that my subconscious mind would work and when I am in need, those sharing will surface by itself to remind me what I have learned throughout the Retreat.

I was touched by how the Indonesians hungry & thirsty for God. During the Praise and Worship sessions, I felt touched by God almost every sessions. I enjoyed the presence of God and Praise and Worship sessions were the most enjoyable session that I have during this Retreat.

We prayed a lot during this Retreat and Bro Nelson shared a lot of things with us. I enjoyed the prayer sessions too. 

I believe that I was not there by coincidence. I managed to renew my passport despite it was already very late in the afternoon and in usual circumstances, the Government offices would not entertain late comers like me but thank God they were opened until 22:00 on that day!

On 22nd January 2013, I almost missed the flight by two (2) minutes as the counter was going to close soon. Wow, God is amazing, Amen!

The troupe together with our Indonesian friends celebrated my birthday at 00:00, 28th January 2013. I was not feeling well, so I slept in the hotel room the whole day but they surprised me with a slice of chocolate cake and balloons. That was so sweet of them =)

Today is 人日快乐！=). It is everyone's birthday today. My birthday wish? Hope that it will come true and I would be able to blog about it soon :)

I think that is all for now; need to take a short nap before getting ready to Church :)