God’s Blessings on You, Our Donors.

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Several weeks ago I had the privilege of being a part of a Bible distribution team. As I learned more about Bibles For China I knew that I wanted to be a part of this ministry in some way. I was asked if I would like to phone some of the donors with an update on what I had experienced in China.

As I spoke to one donor, her passion for both the Chinese people and this ministry was evident. She went on to say that she had been able to increase her donation this time because she been laid off at work and her company had paid her both a bonus and severance pay.

I have taught adult education at my Church for many years and have often read the story of the woman in Luke 21 who had given in the midst of difficult circumstances but suddenly this Bible story became real. In Malachi 3 we see God speaking to the nation of Israel as he tells them that he will honor their giving and will bless them for their faithfulness. We shouldn’t make the mistake of believing that God’s blessing is always returned in the way of material possessions. God’s blessings can come in many forms such as peace, comfort, joy, or eternal reward that will be given in the future.

I’m not sure how the Lord will bless this woman but I do know that God’s word doesn’t come back void and that he loves us. As you read the verses below I would ask that you pray that God’s hand would become evident in a real and significant way to this donor.

Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Matthew 6:25, 31-34 (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.