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Devotion Blessed to Bless "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV My first job was as an executive secretary at a perfume company in Manila, Philippines. A fresh graduate of a business college, I thanked God for the door He had opened, and hoped to become a good steward of my money. Before going to business college, however, I had first completed Youth With A Missions' (YWAM's) six-month Discipleship Training School. There I had been trained and exhorted to always set aside my tithes and offering first when I received any income. Though I did not continue on as a missionary with YWAM, I never forgot this principle I learned. I knew that I would always want to support their missionaries financially, as well as other ministries. Later, when I began my job with the perfume company, the offerings I gave initially were very modest--but God only knew how I yearned to give more! Through the years, while continuing to tithe and give faithfully, I have seen God increase my ability to give. Now I am married, with two young daughters, and I live in Portland, Oregon. I am blessed to have a husband who provides for us adequately, and who desires to support missionaries like I do. Together we continue to support missionaries in the Philippines, Belgium, Hawaii, and Canada. How comforting it is to know that God is faithful to provide for all of our needs when we are generous! I have learned that it is God who plants the desire in our hearts to be generous. As we obey His promptings and exercise our gift of giving, He satisfies us with abundant material and spiritual blessings. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us to be rich in good works, and in generosity. May we always remember that you bless us so we can bless others; in Jesus' name. Amen. "God is generous and takes every opportunity to express His generosity. He is pleased when we reflect His character. So we need to be generous and look for every opportunity to be generous." - Jake Barnett, Author, Wealth & Wisdom, by Navpress (Quote by Jake Barnett taken from his book: Wealth & Wisdom, published by Navpress. Copyright 1987 by Jake Barnett.) Jennifer Anne Messing is the author of numerous articles and poems published in fourteen different magazines, and in the book: More God's Abundance, by Starburst Publishers. She is a wife and mother of two, a licensed hairstylist, church vocalist, and Secretary for the Oregon Christian Writers. Contact: MnJMessing@cs.com
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