Making it personal
Verse 13 of Romans chapter 12 tells us to distribute to the necessity of the saints and to be given to hospitality. They are closely tied together but different. Let us look at the distributing to the saints.
Once again, these are not suggestions but commands. We are commanded to distribute to the necessity of the saints. Notice the word necessity. When we think of giving we usually think of money but this is not always the necessity of the saints. Sometimes it is love, truth, an open ear, prayer, time, or something else that money cannot buy.
Also, notice that we are to distribute to others which carries with it the idea that we are given by God to give away. We are funnels that God desire to use to distribute His blessings to His children. We need not get big headed thinking that we are something because we have much but rather we are blessed to give more away. To whom much is given, much is expected. The more we have, the more we worked for but no matter how you look at it, it is all God’s and it is He who gave it to us.
Now, this brings up the question, how much do I give because I only have so much? First let us remember that we are all in this together. It does not fall on the shoulders of one to be the funnel but all. Also, in context, we are to give to the saints. We can bless this world, but we first need to make sure the needs of the church are being met. This is not selfish but rather for health reasons. The healthier we are, the more we can reach out to the lost and dying world. So, let us selflessly bless each other serving the L