Sis V,
Continue to desire the Holy Spirit. She will reveal her work in your life in ways you know not how.
Bro. BJ,
Giving in public or otherwise is less about how it make you feel or whether or not you get rewarded in some way from giving money. There are two sides to my answer to your question. The first is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles and the second is practical. Jesus teaches the importance of being good manager's of our resources (Luke 16) because if we can be trusted with temporal things points to our trustworthiness in eternal matters. The history of the Christian faith has held to the claim that it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Last, John 3:16 begins "For God so loved the world that he gave...", therefore, when we give we are witnesses to what we believe to be basic to a life as a child of God. To give communicates to both Christians and others that God has made enough for all to live lives in service to him and others - it is living out in a real way that we believe God is love. When we give we are better witnesses to Jesus than when we receive. As a practical matter, giving allows for the ministry to continue. It always has and it always will. Of course we must be good stewards because every good and perfect gift comes from God. Also, usually when people are reluctant to give it is usually because thy are in debt to earthly gods like credit card companies or their own financial ignorance. People may want to give and not have as much as they wish to give but the story of the widow's mite (Mark 12:41-44) teaches us to give what we can not grudgingly nor because you will get something back (2 Corinthians 9:7) for God loves a cheerful giver. Furthermore, giving is about who we are an not about how we feel. The desire to give comes first then the means to give comes after because a person who wants to give will budget better, will educate themselves on how money works, will do work of some sort because they want to give.
BJ, remember giving is not only about money, you can give in many ways its just that when it comes to money most people use these other ways as a means to keep from giving money rather than understanding that all of it goes together.
Great question hope this is helpful, Pastor Richardson
I am delighted that a conversation of this sort occurred at work. I'm assuming the retort from your colleague regarding Lenten season being a strictly Catholic practice was to excuse observing it. That being said the Lenten season is recognized and practiced by different Christian traditions Baptist, Pentecostal, of course African Methodist not just Catholic because it is a part of the Christian Calendar which all devout Christians hold dear. The reason why the Christian Calendar is important with its various seasons i.e. Christmas Season, Epiphany Season, Lenten Season, Easter Season, etc. is because it is how we remind ourselves in a real way that our lives are marked by Jesus and his ministry. If God is Alpha and the Omega and if we believe it is in him that we live and breath and have our being then our lives need to witness to these absolutes and adhering to the Christian Calendar is a means by which we do this. The church as the body of Christ is not a man made institution Acts and the Epistles prove this therefore its traditions however imperfect if done with a pure heart are helpful on insuring we never forget to whom our ultimate allegiance belongs. God has made us a peculiar people and observing Lent not only assures this is the case but makes our everyday lives a testimony to the fact that it is not I who live but Christ who lives in us.
Peppered throughout this response are references to scripture I leave it up to you or whoever is reading to google them. For the sake of head knowledge which of course Christians hold as means to heart knowledge let me provide some information on Lent. First, the word Lent means Spring or 40 days depending on how you interpret it. The Biblical rational for it is found in Jesus being tempted by the Devil 40 days in the wilderness. No one really knows how it began or who was the first to practice it there are different theories but one thing to remember is whatever the beginning it has stood the test of time and has been used by God to many a devout Christian as a means to spiritual nourishment for man or woman do not live by bread, TV, Sodas, etc. alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
In closing the Bible teaches us whatsoever things are Good, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are of good report, concentrate on these things. Moreover, Christians are taught do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind and we are to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. The question then becomes is observing Lent whether in fasting or some other spiritual practice of good report, can it's observance been seen as a living sacrifice helping not to conform to this world, is it a way we can show our love for God in mind, body and soul? I think the answer must be Yes! And Amen!
Great question Vickie I hope this is helpful to you as you strive to live as a Christian! Keep the faith!
Pastor Richardson