Finding your Brand of Giving...Giving from your Heart!

Many of you have taken the advantage of my offer of a $40.00 credit toward some Ox Strong gear.  I decided to do this for a couple of reasons:

1. You didn’t ask me to.
2. Because I wanted you pick something out that fits you and your personality.

 
I also might find out about your brand of clothing and taste but I am going to challenge each of you to find your brand of giving.  Look, I have said this before and I need to say it again: You don’t need to give money to give.  We have heard that people are suffering all over and I can see it in my own town.  The suffering of people has been happening since we were invented by God, so we not only have to deal with it, we need to work on fixing it.
 
Yes, giving is not easy because people are worried that their gift will be wasted or not appreciated.  99.9% of the time you will NOT be burned from giving.  You must find the courage to look past your money and belongings and to find the strength of giving.  I am not saying you need to hand the keys to your house or your car to a stranger.  What I am saying is that you need to embrace the statement, “Give from your heart”.  I would also submit to you to not pre-judge people.
 
What has Ox Strong proved?  That you can’t judge a book by its cover!
 
How many of you have looked at someone and judged how they dress, what they drive, who they are friends with, how much stuff they own, etc.?   I would guess many of us have fallen victim to our bad judgement for the same reasons.   Have any of you said after an Ox Strong devotion, “Hey I knew about that guy, but I didn’t realize what an incredible person they are.”  How many times have you pre-judged someone and just got it wrong?  Didn’t you feel ashamed and mad at yourself?   Most times, people learn that people that are suffering, really mean it.
 
Have you ever been injured and thought you were the only one in the world with pain?   Have you ever shared your pain with someone and they shared their pain with you, and you suddenly realized you didn’t have it so bad after all, and the person you shared your story with demonstrated what it looks like not to complain with utter courage?  Have you ever said, “I am not going to give to that person, because they will just waste it, or they don’t need it.”?
 
It is fundamental that Ox Strong’s mission reminds men that we are Gods children, that we have been broken, that we will be broken, we will be healed, and we are loved.  
 
But is it just judgment that shields you from giving?   Or, is judgment an excuse not to give because you are afraid to part with your money, time, or things?   Hey, some of you reading this, are hurting, so do not take my words out of context here because I am praying for you and all our men in this great struggle.  We are all going to take a haircut this year, but that doesn’t mean we can provide some sort of recourse to community.  After all, our men can do anything!
 
So please find someone you can help with your brand of giving.  That could be a doughnut, getting groceries for a friend, a can of vegetables for the food bank, fixing something at home, an Ox Strong shirt or yes, giving money.  
 
Don’t let your judgment of a person be your excuse or a convenient reason not to give.
 
God bless our men, our families, and Grinnell.
 
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Sometimes it’s necessary to feed the world physically before you can feed them spiritually. Pray that God will give you ears to hear and eyes to see the needs around you…and then wisely act on the Holy Spirit’s prodding.
Luke 16:9
New International Version
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

New Living Translation
Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

English Standard Version
And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
 
Michael Jr. mentioned at the Zoe- Mother’s Day Service 2016 that Giving is different than Returning. And then cautioned us to never give out of compulsion or duty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHtEhNxcXbg

Song: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow by Hillsong Worship