Fringe benefits of giving

As Christians we are called to give. To give freely...without expectations...as an act of worship.
This is why I give.
But, most of the time there are fringe benefits.
Sometimes its just a feel good feeling, the story of someone you helped, an unexpected blessing or just the thought of your blessing in heaven.

For me , it's the complete joy in being God's hands and feet. There is nothing I like more than the times I have something that someone else needs. My my neighbor needs one egg to finish her cake or a friend needs clothes for her child that mine just outgrew. Or I'm there to give a stranded person a jump, or have the ten dollars a friend needs to get by till payday. There are so many opportunities that God gives to be his hands and feet.....and I L O V E when I catch one.
Imagine the feeling when you find that perfect gift for a good friend, or the bday gift for your child that they have been dreaming about. The only pleasure and motivation for that gift is the how happy the reciever will be and how much love you have for them.

When I give, I feel like I'm giving a gift to God.

Isaiah 58 9:11
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday,
the LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strenghtn your frame.
you will be likea well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

*****Then your light will rise in the darkness*****

Sometimes I am so tired, just exhausted; feeling like I have nothing more to give.
Then I find refreshment in the thought of my light rising in the darkess.
I imagine God looking down and seeing my light shining bright.
And the ultimate fringe benefit I'm hoping for , is to walk through the gates of heaven and having God smile, give me a pat on the back, and say "good job little girl !"

What are your guidlines?

I woke up this morning, with having this on my mind all night.
We are doing a financial study at my church right now, and last night this question was asked...
What are your guidlines? I had a hard time finding the words at that moment to express what was on my mind.
See, we are talking about giving, which God always challenges me with.

I currently have this elaborate system that I've created where I give a set percentage of tythes, offerings, mission, benevolents, etc... it comes out first of all my monies, its routine and set. Anything I have after that is MINE and I realized that I am somewhat putting God in a box with the access to HIS money that I am managing for him.

I've heard stories of how some people flip this idea by choosing to live with a certain about of money and ALL the rest going to God. I love this idea. Some people are millionaires and choose to live on minimum wage, while some might choose to live on $50,000 a year and the rest to God. This amount would greatly vary from one person to the next.

How could you decide?

What would be your guidelines?

How big of a house would you have to maintain, how big of car, how many cars, how many vacations , etc...

Now, currently Im honestly living over my budget...but I hope to be able to change that soon. I am going to be praying about having a budget that i am easily capable of reaching. Also, setting guidlines and if God blesses me with more , it will be all his, really.

My guidlines will be something like this:
having a house in a decent school zone
having a newer car (mini van actually)
having a/c in home and car
dishwasher
interent
laptop
washer/dryer in home
have a reasonable amount in savings and retirement plan
health insurance
weekly supply of healthy food

Now, I find my guidlines quite simple......when I compare them to others. I dont need a $500 purse, $100 shoes, $300 sunglasses, expensive vacations, expenisive jewelry, pets treated better than humans , or many other pet peeves that I see in others. : ) ! Yeah, I'm pretty good at judging people.

I also find it simple to live with less when I dont have much. I dont have to make these choices of having a $500 purse or going on an expensive vacation.......... I wonder if I need have these choices if I would be the same way or would be guidlines have to change??

But.........I ask myself this......
Would my sisters in Africa like my guidlines. You know, the ones that dont eat every day. I would be really embarrassing if i had to say..."Sister, these are my guidelines of needs/wants that i have to meet , but everything I have in excess of that I will give you a small percentage so you can feed your children some rice this week"

Come on.....really?

I pray for God to search me, really search me, keep me with a clear head and with a focus on treasures in heaven. I dont want my rewards here on earth. I want to set my self apart fand be different. I want to in what will last. I dont want to be a slave to money. Please help me to not want earthly treasures and to desire my treasures in heaven