Heavenly Homemakers

Catch up on the previous posts in this Women with a Mission series here.

So, today let’s talk about giving. Giving is another ministry we can all participate in no matter what our life circumstances are. No matter how much (or how little) money you make. No matter how many bills you have. No matter what is going on in your life. We all have something to give.

Here are the common questions:  Does God want us to give 10%? More than 10%? Should the 10% go to my church…and then what about other needs? Should I only give part of my 10% to the church so that I can have some leftover for “other needs”? There are SO many “other needs” out there. Which ones should I choose?

And what in the world does it mean to give sacrificially? 

I’ve been a part of these discussions often…and it’s a tough topic. But here’s a conclusion I’ve drawn after studying this topic recently:  I think we’ve limited our ideas of what giving means.

I think that when we hear the word “giving” we think of a tithe…the check we write to the church…the occasional food we take to the food pantry…the money we might choose to give every once in a while to an organization we believe in. All of these areas ARE a part of giving and we should absolutely be doing this.

But, what do you think about this idea…

The idea that when we use every bit of our money wisely and for a real and godly purpose…we are actually giving 100%.

We use our house for hospitality and to take care of our family. Therefore, our mortgage and utilities are a part of our “giving”. We work to eat well and take care of our bodies…as well as feeding others in our home and outside of our home as much as we can. Therefore, our grocery spending…that’s giving. And on and on about all of the things we spend money on. (Kinda makes you look at toilet paper in a whole new way, huh?)  :)   

On the other hand, if we buy a bunch of “stuff” and waste the money we have…that results in nothing. It isn’t living sacrificially…it isn’t using our resources for God. 

I haven’t figured out “how much” is the right amount to give and how often to give and who all to give to. But I’m coming to the conclusion that giving like God wants us to give might just simply mean living wisely…spending frugally…not wasting what we have…always being willing to share…

So, no more excuses about not having enough to give. And no more guilt about not being able to give more. 

No matter how much you have. You can give 100%. 

Just do what Jesus did. I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t have a very big bank account. Yet he came to earth just to give. He gave of himself. He gave what he could…his healing…his compassion…his time…his touch…his love. And he fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. The five loaves and two fish one hungry little boy was willing to give.
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Share with us. What do you think?
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Check out Finer Things Friday!

I hope through the posts in this series so far, you’ve been able to see how much you ARE ministering to those around you simply by doing your everyday tasks of taking care of your family and going about your normal chores.

Today, let’s talk about prayer. 

I don’t think I need to tell you that prayer is important. And that prayer is effective. And that prayer helps us connect with God in an incredible way. My guess is that you already know those things.

I just want to encourage you to focus on prayer as a ministry. A ministry you can participate in no matter where you are and what you are doing. Even if you are 110 years old, paralyzed, unable to hear or speak or do anything else…you can still participate in the ministry of prayer. I love how God has given us this tool that is so limitless in its use.

There’s a great book I read once, Lord, Please Meet me in the Laundry Room. The author is a mom of many…some of her children have special needs. She talks simply and practically about how sometimes the best place for a woman to have one-on-one time with God is in the laundry room. Or in the shower. Or where ever you are…doing all of the things you always do. 

I remember some of my most precious prayer time occuring during the middle of the night while I was nursing a baby. With a newborn and other little ones at the time…I didn’t have much time for other ministries…but I sure could pray. (And yes, sometimes I would doze off…and that was okay too.)

A friend of mine told me a few months ago that as she drives by someone’s house on her way to run errands or drop off her kids somewhere…she prays for the people who live there. My response was, “Oh! Do you drive by my house very often?!” She said, “Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” How wonderful to know that when she drives by my house, she prays for my family. I’ve begun to make that a practice now too as I’m driving around.

I realize this is idea of prayer as a ministry something you probably do anyway…but today I still want to emphasize constant prayer and remind us and challenge us to make the best use of our time to talk to God. There are so many “no-brainer” tasks we do everyday (like washing dishes, kneading bread, throwing laundry into the machine, sweeping the floor, sitting in the car waiting for the light to turn green)…we really should be using our “brain power” while we do those “no brainer” tasks to pray for others. 

Pray for your husband. Pray for your kids. Pray for your extended family. Pray for your friends. Pray for your church. Pray for your church leaders. Pray for your community. Pray for your country. Pray for the lost. Pray for the sick. Pray for thr hurting.

Pray specifically. Use names. Pray with care. Pray humbly. Pray confidently.

God will meet you wherever you are to listen as you talk to him. He’s waiting to hear from you.

Kinda makes me want to go do a load of laundry. :)

Where and when are your best prayer times? How can you be more consistent in your prayer life?