Compassion

Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NET

The great thing about generosity is that once you start giving things away, you can’t help but grow in joy.  When have you experienced the joy of being generous? Why do you think we gain such satisfaction from giving money and possessions to others?

And for many of us there are so many things going on with so many obligations how do we trim back?  We focus on God.... our marriages.... our children.....

All the other stuff.... friends, family, church volunteering, holidaying, Jesus will sort out for us. Instead of taking things into our own hands, we’ll leave them in His. When we trust Him in this way, we will experience rest. 

Hebrews 13:20-21NET Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, equip you with every good thing to do His will, working in us what is pleasing before Him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

In other words, to stop our striving is to trust God’s equipping. He is the One who works in us and through us. As we surrender to His indwelling Spirit, we find perfect rest. And satisfaction in Christ, not possessions. 

A minimalist life is a mission-forward life. That mission may be “big”—daring, visible, attention grabbing. But it doesn’t have to be. Things that seem “small” are big in impact too if we do them in love and humility. If we’re attentive, we’ll glimpse a greater purpose in the distance— It’s a purpose beyond ourselves. A purpose bigger than ourselves. One that’s worthy of the life we’ve been given to live. 

For some, this purpose is centered on family: their spouse, kids, parents, or other relatives. 

For others, this may be a specific cause: the homeless, the environment, animals, people with disabilities, or something else. 

Still others might discover that in their career or work they are able to find greater purpose by serving others and not merely earning a paycheck. 

God has a role for each of us in building His kingdom. What if having less stuff gives us not just more space but more time? What  passion burns within you? What opportunities present themselves? What needs of others do you have the ability to meet? Maybe if we approach material ownership in a way that makes us different in the way we approach our pursuit of goals we will find a God filled purpose that creates a joyful, giving heart in us, not for applause but because it’s the way of Jesus.

And I hope whatever we do we do it while exhibiting such virtues as compassion, wisdom, prudence, modesty, fairness, and humor. These are the kinds of virtues we draw nearer to when we spurn materialism’s harsher values of greed, acquisitiveness, and showing off. As we grow closer to God through letting go of the stuff that can distract us from His calling, we recognize the fruits of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.