Sharing God's Love

"I know that I am supposed to, but I don't like to share."

That is what one of my younger cousins said many years ago when she was told to share with others.  At the time, she was a very young child when she was told to share something with somebody else. 

However, I believe that the same is true of adults, at times, when it comes to sharing with others.  Why is it so hard for us to share?  For one, it is a part of human nature which finds it hard to share with others. 

It is the flesh or the old sinful nature that does not like to share with others.  Perhaps, we think that if we share with others we will not get a fair share.  Maybe, we just want to have it all to ourselves.  Other times, we only want to keep it all for ourselves.

In God's word though, we are told to share with others whether it be material possessions, the Gospel, or God's love.  

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13, NIV)."  

When you love someone, you want to share with them.  You want to help people when you love them. 

"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV)."   

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same (Luke 3:11, NIV).”  

Most importantly, when you love God as the very first commandment (Matthew 22:36-38) says to do, you will want to share His love with others.  You share God's love with people by showing them in tangible and practical ways.  Feeding the hungry.  Clothing the naked.  Sheltering the homeless.  Visiting the sick and those in prison (See Matthew 25:35-40).

Your flesh or old sinful nature may try to rise up every once in awhile.  You may think or say something similar to my much younger cousin did years ago.  However, see it and know it for what it is right then and there.  

 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)."  

Once you know God, His thoughts, and His ways; you will know what to do and what not to do (See Isaiah 55:8-9).  

You will know not to give into the flesh, the old sinful nature, but will live by the Spirit.  When you live by the Spirit, you give by the Spirit (See Romans 8:12-14; Galatians 5:24-25).   You give to others.  You love others.  You share with others.  Most of all, you share God's love.

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.