A Cheerful Giver
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
Cheerful giving isn’t just about monetary giving. Invalids, shut-ins, homeless, and orphans all long for a visit. Remember to smile at friends and strangers alike. The bible says, for “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9 (NASB)
A simple smile or kind word could change the trajectory of someone’s bad day.
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
The Blessed Are Foundation will conduct public fundraisers and seeks cheerful givers of time. Please contact us if God places it on your heart to donate your time.
David’s Mite
“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
A word from Joseph: During covid God blessed me with time to draw nearer to Him by ministering to the less fortunate in NYC. David, a homeless man spoke of “collecting cans to save money to get to California.” After a year he was still struggling in NY, but God had plans.
I was honored to help David register for his government stimulus checks, but they never arrived. God blessed me to successfully help register and disburse many checks to homeless. God is faithful and while not always on our time line, He certainly delivers right on time. He answered our prayers and out of the blue, David received the third check of $1400!
David had no bank account and wasn’t sure how to cash his check. I suggested a check cashing business, but he was insistent that I cash it for him. I was a hesitant, but did.
Can you imagine my surprise when David offered a $700 donation for the foundation!? That was 50% of all the money he had in the world. Humbled, I politely refused, but he would not take “no” for an answer.
David assured me that all he needed was $700 to get a fresh start in California. We walked to the bus station and he purchased a ticket to California. He left later that day. David didn’t have a phone, but took my number. We prayed and with a hug parted. I miss seeing David in the neighborhood, but pray he is well. God willing I’ll hear from him soon.
His $700 was consecrated by prayerful brothers and sisters, and it was dedicated to open the foundation’s bank account. I don’t have a picture of David, but he looks very similar to the man above with the beard. God bless David, a cheerful giver. Amen.
Are you a Cheerful Giver? Donate Now.
