Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Magnanimity

Hello all! This is Maisha typing for her Dad again:
He says, "For various reasons, I have been thinking a lot about generous people. I guess that is because so many of you have been so generous to me and my family and to others in general. I realize that this generosity is in stark contrast to much of the world.
Generosity is defined as unselfishness, especially in the area of giving of your money or time. When you look up generosity in the dictionary there is a synonym for this word and it is, "magnanimity" (that is a mouth full :-) which means largeness and open handedness and being extremely liberal and generous of spirit.
The idea of living with an open hand is such a godly thing because it symbolizes the person that really doesn't hold onto the things that they are blessed with. The generous person understands that all good things come from God, and that everything belongs to God anyway. I understand this by first hand experience because when you've come to the end of yourself, as I have with this whole ordeal...and so many of us have experienced this as well...we realize that the truth is that nothing in this world really belongs to us. At the end, we are stripped of everything. So, since nothing really belongs to us anyway, we are just stewards of what belongs to God. It is right and good to live with an open hand...one that freely gives of what has been given to us. In so doing, our life becomes a lot bigger...it has a ripple effect. It multiplies itself and it touches and encourages and helps so many lives. What I realize is that if you live from that place of generosity, you receive generosity.
We often times act as if we have a right to be selfish and this is not right. You look at the example of Jesus who, unlike us and being God, actually had rights; however, He put those rights aside for our benefit. The scriptures teach us that Jesus, even though He was God, didn't consider His being God something to be held onto.
It says in Philippians 2, "Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

I found the following scripture to be so applicable to our church:
"Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia [or Hope Chapel, Kihei or anywhere in the world!] Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will..."
2 Corinthians 8: 1-3

We love you! Kit, Shelly and Family

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, Kit you never cease to amaze me. Day after day you bring an inspired word to us no matter what. It is really awesome to witness the Lord's speaking through you. We are so looking forward to all of you returning home to Maui next week. We continue to pray for your comfort and healing. We love you!!
Don and Laura Roll

Janet on Maui :) said...

Hi Kit, Shelly & Maisha,
glad you are back with your mom & dad Maisha. It was good to get a hug at the wedding :)
Well it's the countdown ...5 1/2 days of school left and 4 days till the Lauers come home :) So looking forward to both :) Sharing & giving to your family is such a treat and we love that you are open to receiving from us. I look forward to being of service any way I can and so do many others. We will try to control our outpouring of love when you return to Maui so as not to overwhelm the family. Too much of a good thing is wonderful.
Still praying, believing, hoping and trusting God.
Hugs, Janet :)

HopeForTheIsland said...

Still following your blogs. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us all that God is bringing you through. Sometimes in ministry we focus on all that we have to "DO" for God, but you get to just "BE" with God's presence.
Your blogs reach so many people. We are even printing them out for other people in our Island of Siargao to read (I interpret for them). One woman named Arlene lives in the poorest area of our village. When I read your blog today she cried, because she was amazed at how calm you are and how God has been using you so much even during this time. I promised her I would write you Kit and she wants you to know that people you don't know on the other side of the world are praying that God will heal you.
Be encouraged.
Jenn

lorensaved77 said...

Dear Kit, Shelly, and Maisha
Wow! God is moving in Great ways...This is my devotional today from Rick Warren and It goes so well with what you said Kit!
Thought you might want to read just a part of it...
Love you guys, Thanks Maisha for the e-mail I will let you know when she contacts Michelle
See you soon...
Love& Blessings,
Nancy and Loren Family


Generosity Strengthens Faith
by Rick Warren:

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
There are more promises in the Bible about giving than any other kinds of promises. In fact, God talks more about giving than he does about heaven or hell.

Why? Because he wants us to become like him.

God is a generous God. If it weren’t for the generosity of God, we wouldn’t have anything. We couldn’t even take our next breath if it weren’t for the generosity of God. God wants us to learn generosity, and so it’s as if he’s saying, “I want you to learn to be like me. I’m generous with you and I want you to learn to be like me, to be generous with other people.”

Here’s one of those promises God makes: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV).

We know this principle because it’s true in every area of life. Whatever we sow, we are going to reap:

Anonymous said...

Kit,
thank you for writing to us! I have meant to tell you that I have recomended your blog entries to two people already that are having some difficulties. they have both been deeply encouraged by your words! as I pray for you and your family and the Johnsons and the family there in Maui I think about how open you all are! That generosity you talk about is also in the openness that you folks share not only your things but your hearts and even your struggles too..you are the 'realest" bunch! Because of the deep love and trust there are no walls. I love it! .it is so precious and rare! I learn so much from you. thanks
Linda Lehmann

Anonymous said...

Kit
Has been awhile but you all have been in prayers still. It is interesting how you end up praying. We've been going through medical conditions with our daughter and your ordeal has helped us in so many ways. I of course was not pleased with your outcome but looked at how you saw it. I see the same with not good news with our daughter and it is amazing after you have cried and dropped to your knees the calmness you find in Gods grace. We get to bring our daughter home on Monday, Lord willing, and it will be care for her 24/7 for a good long while.
I, like you, am anxious to have her home to be in the sun,and see the beauty of the Colorado summers.
We know coming back to Maui is on hold and the reasons for all this is beyond what we are ever intended to know. We are forever greatful to know the Lord, have Him in our lives and have many friends through Him. I will be thinking of you all June 1st. It makes me happy to know you will be surrounded with family and friends.
Grow strong and continue to bless us with your word.
Nick and Sharon

Unknown said...

Hey Guys!
I am glad that you are out and about! The fresh air and sunshine on your face must do your soul good! I continue to pray for you!
Love, Heather Overholt

Anonymous said...

Three days and counting!

Love you,

Mele

Anonymous said...

Hello Pastor Kit,
Again I am blessed by your inspired words. Your have the grace of gratitude. Yesterday I listened on line to your message- concerning your destiny in getting closer to the Lord and his plan for your life. I hope you will share to your readers throughout the world ( the hopechapelonians) your moment in destiny, in Lahaina when Craig Englert convinced you (or vice versa)to become a full time pastor.
Yours in Christ,
Kimo