Tag: gifts

Your Gift Makes Room

“Your Gift Makes Room” By Kirk Hunt

A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

God is against bribes, but He is for generosity.  May the Holy Spirit convict (not condemn) you about graft, but He will commend you for giving.  The gifts you give make room for you.  What do you put in that space?

“Make room” is not just a reference to physical space.  Your room may be the positive opinion of decision makers.  Perhaps your gifts open the opportunity to witness to souls about Jesus.  Are you wise with the opening made by your gifts?

As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, you have gifts and are a minister.  Your gifts are not just for your benefit.  You are intended and custom-made to benefit the men and women around you.  By giving your gifts, you almost literally compel souls to make space for you in their lives.  What do you place in that hard-won place?

The healing of a skillful doctor or nurse usually gets the gratitude of the patient.  Even difficult students speak well of a key teacher who taught important skills and knowledge.  The friend who comes through at midnight earns warmth from a friend’s heart.  Given a door to another’s spirit, what will you choose to leave behind?

Your gifts lower defenses.  Your gifts draw consideration.  Your gifts soften hearts.  What do you do with that precious opportunity for God’s Kingdom?

Think:        My gifts open the door to interactions with men and women.

Pray:           “Lord, help me to have faithful courage over what, where and when You command.”

 

Copyright © March 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Gifts To The Poor

“Gifts To The Poor” By Kirk Hunt

To establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,   as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.

Esther 9:21–22 NKJV

The Jewish holiday of Purim is a time of joy and celebration.  Haman’s conspiracy was thwarted and Mordecai personally promoted by King Ahasuerus.  Yet, in all of the feasting and festivity, gifts to the poor were intended to be a part of Purim.

Too often those who are doing well give no thought about those who are struggling.  You may not be able to erase all of their suffering or difficulty, but you can share your joy.  Joy and celebration is not a zero-sum game.  You and they can win, simultaneously.

Were the poor at risk from Haman’s plot?  Yes, just like wealthier folk.  Life and liberty are precious commodities, regardless of your income level.  Was their salvation from Haman’s conspiracy any less precious?  Not one iota less than other folk.

Consider the things you enjoy, the privileges you experience, and the benefits you receive.  Is it really so difficult or onerous to share from all that God has provided to you?  After all, sharing increases joy in the world. 

God has blessed you.  Consider how you can pass His blessings on to others, as Jesus commanded.  Give your gifts, especially to those less fortunate.  Joy, divided and distributed, gets larger, not smaller.

Think:        I can share my joy, especially with those who are less fortunate. 

Pray:           “Lord, help me to remember to bless others in Your Name.”

 

Copyright © July 2017, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Yours To Keep

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“Yours To Keep” by Kirk Hunt

 

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Romans 11:29 KJV

 

Your talents are yours. Your calling is permanent. They are gifts from God. Did you say “thank you”?

 

Yes, I know Romans 11 is about the favored status of the Jews. That does not change the truth of God’s giving. God gives as He chooses. He has already given to you.

 

Your gifts speak loudly of what He thinks of you. Your calling is unique to you, and you alone. What do you say to Him in return?

 

What you have is yours to keep. That’s not the question. What are you going to do with them? What is your answer?

 

Despite what He has given, it will take hard work and persistence to make something of them. Doing nothing with what He has given is wasteful and insulting. Please, do not be that man or woman.

 

Launching out requires faith and courage. Becoming first-class always demands a price. Getting off the couch and into the deep waters is a great way of saying thank you.

 

You can choose to squander what He has given. You can choose to make use of what He has provided. I pray your answer involves using the talents you already own.

 

Think: God has giving me gifts and a calling.

 

Pray: “Father-God, help me to operate in what You have given me.”

 

 

Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt