Monday, January 31, 2011

Hands, Reaching and Stretching

We should be completing our series on the Proverbs 31 woman today; however, in reviewing these posts a few weeks ago, I discovered that I'd totally skipped verse 20! I'm not sure how I missed this one, but we're going to highlight it today - just a little bit out of order! Next Monday we'll end our series with verse 31.

I think we once again glimpse the heart of this woman in verse 20: "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."

The Virtuous Woman is Generous.

Her spirit is not one of stinginess or selfishness, but one that cheerfully gives to others, expecting nothing in return. The words "stretcheth" and "reacheth" are used here, which reminds us that being generous is not always easy; it sometimes requires self-sacrifice and the postponement of satisfying one's own desires.

Notice that the verse does not say what she gave materially, although she would certainly have sought to meet people's physical needs. Rather, the focus is on her hands and her willingness to help the poor. She didn't wait for those in need to find her, but reached out to them.

Knowing all that she accomplished for her family, this lady still made it a priority to notice those around her who were impoverished. Perhaps some required a gift of her time, her sitting down and talking to one who was lonely, maybe shut-in or bedridden. Maybe it was a word of encouragement, either verbally or in writing, to a discouraged soul. Preparing a meal, sharing warm clothing, and giving financially would all have been done with her hands as acts of generosity.

My husband and I want our children to learn to be sensitive to the needs of others and, as it is in their power, help in a way that is fitting. Therefore, we need to set the example by being liberal in sharing with others and in giving of our time, possessions and finances in order to aid someone who is struggling.

What do you find to be the best way to show your generosity to others?
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19 comments:

  1. Raise Them UpJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    Your words were really encouraging today. Generosity is not something that comes naturally to me. I have to work at it. My husband is my role model, and God has used him many times to open my eyes to the needs of people around us. I'm glad God is still working on me!

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  2. TraceyJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Raise Them Up,

    I'm so thankful that you were encouraged. Personally, I find it easier to be generous with money than with my time or other resources. Even within my family, I think I often use my time for myself, to accomplish things on my list, rather than using it to help them or just be with them. Like you, I have a husband who's a great help to me!

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  3. UnknownJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Growing up the minister's wife at our church was such an awesome role model! She was kind, generous, forgiving, confident....I remember thinking how perfect she was. Now that I'm a minister's wife I've often spoken with her asking for advice. She reminds me to treat others how I want to be treated, and to look for those who aren't seeking help, for they are most likely to need it.

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  4. TraceyJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Aurie,

    Thank you for that last statement - "to look for those who aren't seeking help, for they are most likely to need it." That is so true; I hope I will keep that in the forefront of my mind. Wise words, my friend! ;)

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  5. Mrs. StamJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    we try to help whenever and with whatever we can, financially we are not well off but that does not stop us of being generous! Because money is not ours, it's God's and we use it to glorify Him. plus we can be creative by being generous with our time (helping hands) and other things we can do :-)

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  6. TraceyJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Mrs. Stam,

    You're right - there are so many ways to give besides financially! One of the greatest blessings I ever received was when a friend took my then-two-year-old and watched her for several hours so that I could have some time alone at home with my newborn. Anything from helping someone do home repairs to taking a meal to another family can be a reflection of a generous spirit by sharing God's blessings with others.

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  7. MelJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    That is something that just weighs on my heart. My love language is words of encouragement so I am naturally an encourager, or try to be. There are so many ways we can help others that cost nothing and some that cost next to nothing. I have a tab on my blog for women to ask for an encouragement card or birthday card. It really is something they love. People want real mail, physically something they can hold in their hands and feel treasured. Dropping a card in the mail takes mere seconds but can really impact someone. Thanks for this encouragement today!

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  8. TraceyJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Mel,

    I definitely agree! Just a short note or a thoughtful card can mean so much to someone. Thank you for reminding me of that. There definitely are a host of ways we can be an encouragement to others.

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  9. SamJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Thanks so much for the comment. Would you believe after all of that hard work I have decided to print out new copies and have the pages made into a notebook? I am going to follow you back :)Generosity is in need of a comeback!

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  10. AbbiJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Thanks for sharing this verse (even if it was out of order)! This principal is one I have been trying to work on. I and my family are so very blessed, It is my hope and prayer that we can share some of that with others. I have really been working on being more aware of needs and then being willing to give.

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  11. ClaraFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    I love giving things and find it easier to do that than to give of time (person-to-person). We do not have excesses of money (we're on the poverty line according to rich Australian standards), but we feel so incredibly blessed. We often like to share meals with those less fortunate than us - we like to have them come over for a meal and send them home with the leftovers. I also love to sew things and love to make special sewn gifts for others - especially because I have been blessed by receiving free fabric from multiple beneficiaries who just have it on their heart to give me gifts of fabric from time to time!

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  12. TraceyFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Abbi,

    Me, too! It's so easy to get caught up in what we have going on that we brush right by someone who has a need.

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  13. TraceyFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Clara,

    Both sharing meals and sewing for others are wonderful ways to give! As you said, no matter how little we have, there's always some way to share with others.

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  14. CassidyFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    I wish I had known about this study. I would have REALLY enjoyed it. Can I find the posts about the whole study in one place? What a beautiful message you have written. We help with the church food pantry which is what we're able to do right now since we share a vehicle at this point and my husband works such long hours. The girls get to help in choosing what we donate. I love having them involved. I like to imagine someone coming in and choosing the baby foods and snacks for babies to take home and feed her little one and what it would feel like to have that need met. It warms my heart. I never know where any of the pantry items go but I know that they go to the hands of someone who needs them and that God is blessing them with these items. Beautiful post.
    Blessings, Cass

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  15. Brieana SmithFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Thanks for commenting on my blog.. I might never have found yours if you hadn't and it's wonderful! I love this break down of Proverbs 31. I love that technology allows us to reach out and find like-minded women we'd never have met otherwise.

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  16. TraceyFebruary 1, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Cassidy,

    I love the feeling with which you shared the ministry you and your family have! One of my burdens is to have our children work alongside us as we seek to meet others' needs.

    Here are links to some of the posts in our series on the Proverbs 31 woman. Most of these will contain links to related posts. Unfortunately I don't have them all compiled at this point, but I'm hoping to do that in the future.

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/08/woman-of-value.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/08/he-trusts-her.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-will-do-him-good.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/09/hands-that-serve.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/10/discernment.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/10/thorough-job.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-prepared-are-you.html

    http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2010/11/life-support.html

    Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment.

    Hope you have a nice night!

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  17. TraceyFebruary 1, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Brieana,

    I appreciate your visiting my blog, as well as your kind words!! It truly is a wonderful experience to "meet" other Christian women through blogs and other online venues and be able to encourage and bless each other.

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  18. Katie BulmerFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Great post. We clean out thier toys and books often and say "we are going to give this to someone who doesn't have as many things as us" As they get older we hope to serve in soup kitchens and things like that. Happy to have found your blog!

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  19. TraceyFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Imperfect people,

    Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. We also would like to involve our children in helping meet practical needs like serving meals in a local homeless shelter.

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I look forward to hearing your comments and welcome your questions and suggestions. Thanks for visiting my blog!