urgently meeting the needs of others

KLOVE gave us this verse in their "Encouraging Word" daily email last week:

"Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive." ~ ~ Titus 3:14, NLT

"... meeting the urgent needs of others ..."

Frequently I over analyze the needs of others brought into my view, allowing opportunities to pass that should have bless someone else, and bless me in the giving.  I learned long ago that giving is far beter than receiving, but I still struggle to hold on to that which is really not mine to begin with.

"Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you; I am God, your God.   I do not reprove you for your sacrifices, And your burnt offerings are continually before Me.   I shall take no young bull out of your house Nor male goats out of your folds.  For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills.  "I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.    If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.   Shall I eat the flesh of bulls Or drink the blood of male goats?  Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High; Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."

~ Psalm 50:7-15 NASB

He owns it all.

Ask those who know me well and most will likely tell you that I am a "giver".  Far too frequently, however, I pick and choose, I analyze, I weigh my cost before I let go.  That's not what God tells us and that's not a strong show of trust in Him who provides.

Every time I have had an urgent need, that need has been met, provided by God, through the hands of others or through purposeful circumstance.  Shall I do less with the resources God has entrusted to me?

No, it's not always easy.  There are many times when I choose to hold on to "mine"  because I have a personal need or desire and I don't let go to avoid cutting myself short.  That's an understandable human reaction, but I'm supposed to be "led by the Spirit".

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."   But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.   For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.   But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law."  ~ Galatians 5:13-18

Maybe if I spend less on my "desires of the flesh" I will not cling so tenaciously to that which might be handed over.  Maybe if I spend more time "counting the cost" before spending and less time acting on personal whimsy, I might do more with far less for myself.

I certainly don't have all the answers.  I don't have unlimited resources, but my Father does and I should trust Him to provide through me to those in need.

Our God measures out to us that which He knows we can be entrusted to steward for Him.

Acting in good stewardship and avoiding foolish behavior,  perhaps I may always be ready when an "urgent need" is before me.

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." ~ Luke 6:38

Father, help me by moving my selfish desires, my "knowledge", my flesh, me, out of Your way. Move in me to meet the urgent need of others.