More than just a hobby

When I first began doing this coupon thing a few months ago, I thought, "what a great way to save money for our family!" And it has been. I have seen our grocery bill go down dramatically...but God has been pricking my heart lately concerning this hobby and I wanted to share it with you.

Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you that I have always been a scrimper and saver. Maybe it is because I grew up with little possessions, maybe I inherited some of it from my parents, who knows? But I have always looked at those who gave freely of their possessions to others in need with a bit of envy. I wished that I could give so easily and hold my possessions with an open hand. Don't get me wrong, I understand that these are God's possessions and I am simply a steward over them during my lifetime but something always held me back. Thus, embarking on this coupon hobby has been an eye-opener for me because it has helped me realize how much fear (and lack of trust in God's provision) I hold inside me. What if I give "X" to someone and need it later? This is my logical brain working. But God doesn't want me to be logical. He wants me to trust Him.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 — “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ ” [quoting Psalms 112:9]

Acts 4:32, 34-35 — “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

I remember when I was in grad school taking classes, I was struggling to pay the tuition and commuting 1 hour (one way) because I couldn't afford to pay for an apartment in Princeton. A certain sister decided to give generously to me and gave me enough to room with two other girls in an apartment near the school for the whole last semester I was there. What an amazing example of Acts 4 she was to me at that moment!

Now, when I get an item for cheap or free that I don't necessarily need or I already have enough of, I can think, "who needs this item? Who could I give it to?" This is not to pat myself on the back, but rather to share with you that God is working on my heart in this. I can freely admit, this has been an area of weakness for me for most of my life and it has been such a wonderful blessing that God has been using to teach me that I can and should give to others.