Sharing: April 19, 2011

APRIL 19, 2011: TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2011

SHARING

DEFINITION:

Having something jointly, a portion or an allotted part, giving a portion to others.

SCRIPTURE:

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many children as well as adults today do not understand what it means to share. More important they have not experienced the joy that one can have in their heart when they learn to share. Children are not being taught to share today in their homes mainly because their parents do not share things with others, including their words (feelings) or deeds.

When a child is not taught properly, when they are young, how do we expect them to be any different when they grow up? The verse above that the author of Hebrews wrote is so clear. It reminds us that sharing is doing good and we need not forget this as we live out our lives each and every day.

We began when our children were very young to teach them to share. We taught them to share their toys, not only with their siblings but with friends who would visit them. We taught them to share their time when someone needed help. We taught them to share their resources (ten percent), which we referred to as tithe with our church. Sharing is tough to learn for children but when you start when they are young and then are consistent and lead by example they will learn. Usually, at the beginning, their response would be something like “that is mine and I want it.”

When we taught our kids to share, we constantly reminded them that sharing was a two way street. It was important for them to understand that if one shared an item with another sibling then the other needed to be willing to share an item with the child that shared with them. When children learn this it becomes a life principle when they become adults.

When we think of the word sharing we need to think about how we share our faith with others that we touch every day. Very few believers today feel comfortable about talking about their faith with a non-believer. This type of sharing is close to non-existent and there are possibly several reasons for this.

It is thought that most people, first of all, do not feel any kind of urgency or burden to share their faith with others. They feel that that should be the responsibility of the pastor, the missionary or the evangelist that comes to town.

A second reason is that they feel unprepared and could not answer the questions that they may be asked. If this is your problem it can be easily solved if that is your desire. You will then want to study the Bible daily and pray daily and God will give you the answers.

And thirdly and sadly, most believers have no desire to stand up for the Lord. They are fearful of being thought of as crazy or not with it. What will you say when you stand before God in heaven when you are asked did you share your faith with all those you saw and met?

In the first chapter of John we read about Andrew who was one of the two first disciples picked by Jesus. Andrew was a humble person, devoted and Christ like. His name means “manliness.” After Jesus chose Andrew to be His disciple and he spent time learning from the Messiah he became a rugged evangelist and he was known for his consistency in sharing Christ personally with all that he came into contact daily. When he first met Jesus he shared with his brother Peter the good news that he had met the Messiah.

Part of sharing is also developing a compassion for others to the extent of being willing to share with them some of your possessions, time, and most important your faith.

In Isaiah 58:7, Isaiah explains what pleases God. It is more than just going to church. “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him.” It pleases God and we honor Him when we have compassion for others, especially the poor, and willingly share what we have with them.

Sharing should begin with all of us by sharing our faith with our family, friends and neighbors. Secondly. we must be consistent and willing to share with others our time, talents and treasures. And finally we must share with the poor what God has blessed us with. Andrew shared his love for Jesus to everyone he came in contact with as an example to us as to how we are to share by our words and deeds what God has given us.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.

When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.

PRAYER:

As we begin this New Year we want to praise You for Your sharing of Your Son by sending Him to this world to pay the penalty for my sins. Give me now the discipline and boldness to share my love for You with those I meet today. May the joy of the Lord shine brightly in all that I do and say.