Benevolent

Years ago, I heard about a church that only partook of communion once per quarter, but on those Sundays, they also collected a “Benevolence Offering.” One hundred percent of what was given that morning would go to their benevolence fund to help those in poverty pay for rent, utilities, food, gas, or more.

This desire to give comes from the heart of Christ. In Matthew 11:28-30 (our key passage for this blog series), we hear Jesus say to those He invites to come to Him, “I will give you rest.”

Give What, Exactly?

If you are like me, when you think of “giving,” you think of donating money or blessing someone with a wrapped present. But (as we often talk about at Riverwood) giving is far more than a financial transaction. We are to give our FIST, our Finances, Influence, Skills, and Time.

But Jesus takes it one step further—He offers to give us rest! What a generous offer!

I was recently talking with one of the Wartburg Wrestlers who admitted just how tired he was. It’s a lot being a full-time college student who works a side job to pay for school while also giving time to a demanding sport that requires a weight cut and grinding conditioning. So I wasn't surprised when this wrestler said, “Man, what I would give for some rest!”

Most of you reading this aren’t in the throes of a collegiate wrestling season, yet you are probably
"wrestling" with a lot in life: finances, busy schedules, family issues, maybe sickness, and more. But Jesus offers to “give you rest” spiritually and emotionally. No matter what is happening in your life, you can rest easy knowing Jesus sees you, knows you, deeply loves you, and is with you every step of the way.

So take a moment today to rest in Christ through prayer, through Scripture, through a worship song, or maybe through conversation with a brother or sister in Christ. Just breathe knowing He’s got you, because He has a benevolent heart that wants to give you rest.