"Giving follows Grace"

As I'm reading The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, I find myself smiling.

"Christ's grace defines, motivates and puts into perspective our giving: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." ([2 Corinthians] v. 8)." (p. 32, Alcorn)

I have more-so realized God's grace in my life as I live in the small town of Villarreal, Costa, living safe and comfortably in my quaint apartment with a landlord who caters to our daily needs. Sure the heat is exhausting, and the freezer builds up enough ice to build an igloo, but at least it cools down in the night, and we we have a cold place to store our fresh produce. That's more than some people can say. I constantly find myself counting my blessings, and finding joy in sharing them with others.

The other day I was hit with the desire to give a boy a pair of shoes. I made sure to run the idea past Brooke first, of course. With his mother being a close friend at the church she thought it, for lack of a better term, a "lovely" idea. Just like this time, I have been blessed by the freedom here to give and receive, no shame or "pride" to stop the exchange. The mother of the boy was grateful, and blessed by my mere actions of caring for her son.

I want the Lord to help me to hold loosely onto all items I have that He has borrowed me during my time on His earth. I want to listen closely to His calling to give freely, and to bless others, as He has given all of Himself for me. For me to live in Heaven with Him. In this way, perhaps, even through these earthly things, someone else may see the grace of God through a giving heart, and also earn the riches of salvation.