Leveraging God's Resources

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. (1 Chron. 29:11)

As part of a series on money and possessions called “Lost Treasure”, we were challenged by the principle that God owns everything and he entrusts money and possessions to us as his stewards. We should leverage what God has entrusted to us for his purposes. We gave each family who attended that Sunday some money to use for God’s purposes and meet the needs of people in our community. Following are some of the ways that these resources were used:
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I've been looking for God to show me someone to minister to in some small way ever since you passed out the envelopes. Last night at the grocery store I finally spotted her. She was in the dairy section, trying to figure out which products would be accepted with her WIC coupons. When I got in line to check out, she was behind me, with her basket full of formula, milk, cheese, juice, and Cheerios. Nothing else. So I checked out and put my basket aside. I then said “Hi” and asked if there was anything else she was hoping to get at the store, maybe something that wasn't covered by WIC. She hesitated, so I asked if there was something fun that I could get just for her, like ice cream or candy. She smiled and said she would love some candy. "Sweet stuff or chocolate?" "Sweet stuff", she replied. So I went to the Halloween section and bought a huge bag of candy, but that didn't use up my $10.00. So I came back and asked for her favorite ice cream. "Cookies and Cream." She smiled. I found a gallon of Blue Bell and brought that back. She said "You don't have to do this." I told her I'd been looking for something fun to do all day. She has a one month old at home, first baby. She had a cold and seemed really tired, so I didn't chat much. I checked out, the sacker put the stuff in her cart, and I was on my way. Thanks for letting me do this!!! I had a blast!
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The money was put to good use for God’s kingdom. When I was driving home from Target, I remembered the money and felt strongly that I needed to do something with it. Just then, an old man crossed the street and stopped to sit in the median. I passed by initially, but felt like I was supposed to help the man. So I turned around and gave him the money. He was full of gratitude and went so far as to call me his “angel.” As I drove away, the man crossed the street to get a meal at Church’s chicken. I think that this was just one example of how God’s resources could be used to show his grace and love.
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We gave it to a Katrina survivor who is still jobless and very depressed. She has a 6-year old who keeps asking daily if her mommy is going to cry or if she is sad.
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We used the $10 to purchase a bag of cat food then took it to CAP Center. We spent time there playing with the dogs.
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We bought and donated food for End Hunger at Kroger
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We sponsor two Compassion International children, Eyab and Farida. We are using the money for their extra Christmas money.
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Our family bought baking supplies and ribbon. We’ve been baking pumpkin bread for our neighbors and surprising them with visits. These are lonely widows and one widower.
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We gave the money to Christ Memorial's mission project that is working toward building an 8-bed children's hospital in Guinea.
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We bought Halloween candy and a pumpkin to give to the nurses that work in Hospice care.

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I gave the money to a family at my son’s school. They have a child who recently underwent a heart transplant. His family is burdened with substantial bills.

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I sent the money to the Star of Hope Mission for Thanksgiving dinners.