Giving-and it's not November

2 Corinthians 8:10-13 OK, this is the kind of message we usually hear in November as we are trying to get our hearts and minds and souls ready to respond as individuals toward support of the rescue mission of Jesus through Heartsong. And Paul is writing to the tribe at Corinth about a specific giving for a specific purpose. But in what he says there are lessons for all of life. When we talk about giving at Heartsong it's always in terms of time, energy, creativity and resources. He talks about giving eagerly and porportionally, not as to make life hard for you in doing it, but with a eye (and heart) for making life easier for others. These are great lessons about the attitude to take in giving. It's never to be given out of shame or guilt or duty even. The gift the Lord wants for the support of his rescue mission is one given with gratitude, freely and with an attitude of joy. Those who have much can give much; those who have little can give little. But if all invest what of their time, energy, creativity and resources joyfully, and in faith, the Lord will take whatever is given and turn it into life for those who most need it. And that life may be in terms of time, energy, creativity and resources too-according to their need. But it will always bring the kind of life that we hope to God lasts forever, and by God does.