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Giving vs Sacrifice
Romans 12:1 'Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.'
 There's a difference between giving and sacrifice. Sacrifice means giving when it goes on costing you. Sometimes it's enough of a challenge for us to give something 'in the moment' – to give then and there in a way that won't really affect us in coming days. But when we give today and then still feel that loss in one month from now, or even one year from now – that's sacrifice. It is giving when the loss is more than temporary. The apostle Paul was constantly aware of how much he had entrusted to God, because he lived with the impact of his sacrifice every day. There was never a time when the reality of his sacrifice was not with him in a very real way. The good news is that Paul saw God move in amazing ways in his lifetime because he had been willing to sacrifice so much. God may not ask you to give what he's asked from me – or vice versa – but he will bring each of us to a point at some time in our lives where the giving kicks into a higher level, when we're challenged to really make sacrifices. That's an important moment for each of us. Our response to that call will determine how great will be the release of God's power in our lives. It's not our hoarding that determines how influential we are – at least not in terms of eternity. It's not even just our giving – though that's a great start. What really determines our standing before God is the sacrifice we're willing to make to fulfill his call.
Prayer: 'God, please help me to have the courage to make the sacrifices you want from me as time goes by. I know that you will always bless me even beyond what I give.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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Thank you for the Daily Recharges, they always speak such amazing insight and revelation to me. It is truly inspiring!!
Ruth, Australia
I'd like to say how good it is that your EDGES programs can be accessed via the Internet. I think you explain the Christian perspective excellently.
UK
Mal you are a dear friend to the church in Australia. So blessed by your compassionate voice.
Jamie, Australia
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