Above and Beyond - Daily Devotional November 9, 2009

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 3-4, Hosea 6, Acts 23-24

"And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the LORD, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the LORD." Ezra 3:4-5
　
I heard a story today about a family struggling financially. This short story both surprized me and challenged me. I know this family and interact with them on a regular basis, and I would have never known the severity of their situation. They have such great attitudes, the heart of servants and always have a smile on their face.

I’ll be the first to admit that it is easy for me to give money to the starving and suffering in other countries because their needs are on display so often. I often forget that right here in my own city there are those around me that are in great need. In Acts 1:8 it tells us to be witnesses first in Jerusalem then in Judea and Samaria then the ends of the earth. It is easy to jump right to the ends of the earth and neglect the needs that are most immediately around us.

This scripture in Ezra is a picture of the people giving their required sacrifices "according to the rule" and after that there was a "freewill" offering to the Lord. In other words, they gave what was required because the were supposed to, but then gave to God again because they wanted to! They were going above and beyond with their giving, not under compulsion but out of gratitude!

My husband and I believe in the principle of tithing and giving 10% of our income is never an option. It is when it hurts to give...when it is a stretch...when it is a SACRIFICE...when it goes above and beyond what was expected that we start to get fearful.

I am reminded today that there is always someone who has it worse off than myself. I am challenged today to shift my perspective that giving above and beyond should be my "freewill offering" - my FUN offering...my "I’m giving because I want to"...I’m blessing someone...I’m supporting a vision...I am taking my eyes off of myself...Im giving with gladness, excitement, anticipation and a smile to the LORD offering!

It is all God’s money anyways, I mine as well have fun with it by touching His heart and the heart of his people because God loves a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Thanks for reading,
Mel

Tomorrow’s reading: Ezra 5-6, Hosea 7, Acts 25-26