Historically, as seen in many studies, people with lower incomes give a higher percentage of their income to charity, even though wealthier individuals donate significantly more in absolute dollar amounts.

Rich or poor, I’m always impressed with generous givers. I spend time on college campuses and notice building after building named after wealthy benefactors. But I also see people of limited means freely share what little they possess.

Paul wrote in praise of a group of churches in Macedonia who participated in a special fund-raising effort:

In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

It’s stunning to read of a set of people, themselves afflicted and impoverished, giving so generously. They gave of their means, and then beyond their means, to create a swelling of wealth.

These Macedonians gave not to impress, but to serve the Lord and their fellow followers of Jesus. Thanks to their own poverty they understood the gnawing worry of paying the rent and feeding their kids. From heartfelt faith—loving their Lord their God and loving their neighbors as themselves—sprang the relief fund Paul carried south.

Whether I have a little or a lot, I’m encouraged to give generously. I try to give of my labor, influence, finances and expertise. But I especially need to give financially, and I need to feel it. Give something away and it stops controlling you.

Funny to think that these poor Macedonians didn’t give to be remembered or get their names on a building. Yet after all these years we honor them. If I give myself to the Lord and follow his will in giving, I may not see my name carved in stone, but a great deal of good will carry through this world.

2 Corinthians 8:2-5

Photo by Annie Spratt

We’ve all heard the motivational phrase, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. But I prefer this iteration—when the going gets tough, the tough go for a snack. Nothing better than ice cream to sooth a troubled mind.

Habakkuk faced calamity—an invasion of his homeland—on an empty stomach. But rather than trust in his own fortitude, he turned to the One who might bring hope:

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.

No matter how rough, (an invasion involving famine, pillage, murder, rape and enforced slavery), Habakkuk maintained his focus and devotion to the Lord. Notice that he made a conscious decision to follow Jehovah despite the hardship—I will rejoice in the Lord.

Habakkuk may be mocked and hungry and desperate and shackled, but he won’t let go. His was not a blind faith, but a tenacious one, united to and dependent upon the Lord. From this deep well Habakkuk drew far more than a meager, shuffling gait. He found joy in the Lord despite his circumstances and leapt like a deer on the mountains.

When the going got tough, the tough turn to the Lord. Despite a set of horrendous affairs, Habakkuk never lost his grip. May you and I maintain ours as well.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Photo by Anurag Jain

I flew into San Salvador, El Salvador a week ago. We started our descent from a bright blue sky, but quickly settled into a dense layer of clouds. As I peered out the window I saw only gray. I wondered when the runway might appear, and hoped the pilot’s instrumentation worked properly as San Salvador lies surrounded by volcanic peaks. No worries, we hit the tarmac just as the mist parted.

We hustled to our ride in the midst of a nice rain, normal for this time of year in El Salvador. A few days later, when reading through the book of Nahum, I happened on a verse where the prophet described the Lord using meteorological language:

His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Nahum spoke God’s warning in a prophecy regarding Nineveh, laying out the Lord’s anger against this enemy of Israel. Caught in a tornado, Nineveh stood condemned. But I take this metaphor a bit more literally. When I consider the all-powerful nature of God, then the clouds really are nothing more than the dust off his feet.

Of course, to an omnipotent God who holds the universe in his hands clouds become less than the dust of his feet, more like an idea of his passing. Regardless, my descent through a rich, thick blanket of rainclouds brought to mind the magnificence of our amazing God. He holds us in his hands and sustains us in our living, even as we pass through the dust of his feet.

Nahum 1:3

Photo by Ben Everett

I rush through yellow lights because I’m in a hurry. I arrive at the airport with extra time to get through security. I avoid restaurants with long wait times. I don’t like waiting, and neither did the Apostle Paul.

Writing to a group of people sitting on the fence, he urged Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. When it comes to our eternal destiny, there’s no time like the present. No better day to turn to God. No more advantageous moment to seek the Lord.

Zero obstacles stand in the way from God. Our issues of pride, areas of sin, and fear of losing control create our own roadblocks. But the Lord waits patiently as we skirt those barriers.

Today, this very moment, turns out to be the perfect opportunity to say Yes! and embrace the ways of the Lord. Whether you do so for the first time, or return after a period of wandering, today’s the day. The Lord receives each of us with open arms. Your invitation has arrived, the door is open, and the table is set.

Don’t wait—make this day your day of liberation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR