Everything we have comes from God. God made the earth, everything in it and us. If we are to follow a Christian life we must realise that God calls us to look after what he has given us and share what he has given us. We should also do this with a happy heart and not boast about what we do.

All very easy to say, but not always as easy to do. Like the rest of our Christian life, giving is a journey and we should endeavour to give more as we grow. May be see it as a goal to aim for. We can pray for guidance and the right spirit. We are not saying ‘oh good, a new Christian, get your cheque book out!’ but as we grow and realise the great things God has provided for us, hopefully our hearts will grow and the joy of giving and sharing, not just money, but our gifts, talents and time will be such a good feeling we will want to give more. We should also endeavour to be more ‘green’ and recycle and take care of our resources.

Taking care of this beautiful earth we have for such a short time, before we pass it on to our future families and loved ones. God doesn’t want to see us messing it up and we should try to please him in our stewardship of the earth. It is such an unequal world. A world of haves and have nots. I wonder what God must think of us, looking down on mansions in Hollywood and mud huts in Africa. I thank God for good, kind and generous selfless people who raise money for charities and bring these injustices to our attention.

For the rich people who know who blessed they are and share their wealth to bring some comfort to others less fortunate.  I also thank God that I was born in this country and life is good. I would not want to be financially rich, I think I would feel too guilty. I am however richer than money can buy with family, friends and a God that loves me. I am happy and thankful that I’ll never want for the basics in life that some people do not have. Like water coming out of a tap in my house and I always say thank God on a cold night when the central heating comes on , and mean it. In Genesis it says: God gave us the power to look after the animals and gave us seed bearing plants, he wants us to take care of the earth and each other. Everything we need is here.  I always thought the saying was ‘money is the route of all evil’ which I thought harsh as money can do great things. However, it was pointed out to me that it’s the love of money is the route of all evil.

Now as a few of you know, I like a good Bluewater experience as much as the next person!!, but I am fully aware that if I spent all of my money on me I would not be happy. The joy of giving is just as great. And, I have friends who would gladly give everything material they own away to have a loved daughter or husband back or if they could be well and pain or illness free.  I have never doubted that fact but it makes it all the more true and real when a grieving mother tells you that she would give it all away and live in a cardboard box to have her daughter back.  So, I like a nice treat, but it certainly does not bring great or lasting happiness. I have always wondered about those people who don’t even enjoy the brief shopping experience but just amass money in the bank. They didn’t even get to enjoy the brief thrill of spending, let alone the great joy of giving.  ‘They can’t take it with them’ is the saying, how true.

My Sister’s house burnt down recently and they have been left with vitually nothing material, now, as stressful as the situation is, no-one was hurt, thankyou God, but the kindness of people giving freely has touched them so much. So whether it’s someone in Africa, a war torn part of the world, or someone close to home, giving is a great thing and it makes our God happy to see us caring for and sharing his gifts with humankind. What we want and what we need are two different sized parcels. I’m making it all sound a bit ‘rosy’ and its not. I struggle with a selfish side, but I give myself a good talking to until the next time I’m bombing up the A2 in a Bluewaterly direction!  But, one thing 1 know is that I’m so grateful for what I have been given and I thank God in my prayers every day.