This is NOT a Fatherless Generation – Part 5
If you missed the first 4 Parts of this series, you can find them here: http://claritywithcharity.com/?cat=8
Providing for Physical Needs:. There are so many opportunities to give financially. God owns the cattle on the thousand hills (Ps 50:10), and God has entrusted us with the cattle (you didn’t know you were a rancher did you?) Are we giving Him full access to what we have been entrusted with: our house, time, money and revelation of Him? Seldom does God tell us in His Word to test Him, but He does in this area:
Malachi 3:9-10 “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Who is in the house of God?…the orphan and the widow…and if we are not giving financially to help them, we will miss the blessing of God.
I like money…don’t we all =) I have friends that catch whiff of a need and have already written the check. I am not that way. I wish I was, and I have been really challenged by friends who live life so generously. Giving is a spiritual discipline for me. I feel like God has challenged me consistently to give even when it “hurts.” We have already budgeted our tithes and offerings so what “hurts” is for me to give from my monthly “fun money.” Fun money is what I can spend on anything. Its not that God doesn’t want me to spend money on things that are “fun” but He wants to make sure that every dime I have is submitted to Him. Usually, I obey and give some of it away. It always amazes me how He still provides me with even “fun” things once I have surrendered my cash to Him. Usually a day or so after I give my money away, we will find out my husband got a bonus or that shirt I was eyeing at Target went on 70% off clearance. He doesn’t have too, but God is proving Himself to me.
Spiritual Parenting: Don’t let age or experience stop you from investing in someone else. You don’t have to have all the answers or a seminary degree to speak the truth of Christ into someone’s life. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you have the Holy Spirit inside of you who can give you wisdom and insight as you invest in another person!
We have such an awesome example in Jesus who discipled 12 unlikely men by allowing them into His life and ministry. Jesus believed in scraggly fishermen and even Peter who denied him 3 times. Regardless of how He was treated, Jesus saw and called out the gold that He knew was hidden beneath rough exteriors of his disciples. As spiritual parents we need to do the same. Look for talents or character traits to encourage them about. Show an interest in their life by asking questions about their day and what they enjoy doing. Listen to their hearts and ask open ended questions to encourage this person that they have a safe place to share their hearts.
No matter what they say, let them know they are loved and you believe in them, even if you don’t agree with their decisions. Children, young adults and even adults are longing for direction and truth. You can also share wisdom and counsel that God has given you. Sometimes (just like a biological parent experiences) it can be frustrating to be a spiritual parent. Your “kids” don’t always listen to you, even when you are right. Sometimes you may feel like you are having the same conversations over and over again. That’s why its essential for you to stay tapped into your personal relationship with Father God. As you continuously experience His kindness, patience and compassion towards you it becomes easier to extend the same grace to those you are “parenting.”
If you feel as though you need a heart revelation about the Father heart of God, I urge you to take time to be in His presence and read His Word. I outlined some practical steps to get you started. Here they are: http://claritywithcharity.com/?p=204
Foster Care and Adoption: I think with the statistics in our nation alone, not to mention internationally, married couples should prayerfully consider foster care and adoption. I know foster parents, and those who have/are adopting and I want to acknowledge and thank them for their lifelong commitment to care for the orphan. You may not feel called to personally foster or adopt. However, I would encourage you to consider financially supporting a believer who is trying to fund an adoption or help them raise money. I want to give a shout out to a friend of mine who is doing that right now! She sells the most delicious cupcakes in the world! Her name is Christie and this month she is donating all her proceeds to a couple in her church who is adopting a girl from Africa. If you live in College Station, TX and would like some of these amazing cupcakes please email showmethecupcakes@gmail.com or check out her website at www.cupcakesbychristie.com
Sponsor a Child: I have sponsored a child through Compassion, http://www.compassion.com, since I was a Sophomore in college. That means this girl is now almost ready for college, WOW! That makes me feel really old =) It costs me only $42 a month to provide this sweet girl with food, basic healthcare needs, education and the chance to learn about Jesus. Really what is $42 a month?…. a few lattes and a new shirt. Its nothing to most of us but its everything to her!
How is God calling you to love the Orphan? Who in your life has seen and called out the gold in you?
