Giving With No Regrets

In Schindler's List, Schindler smuggles Jews away from the Nazi's. In this scene, he laments because he could have saved more and did not. While he did great things for the Jews, he had some things he had left undone.  When I look at Schindler, I see a man devoted to a cause.  He risked his life to save people.  I think there is a misconception that people in ministry have "done their part" if they work for a time.  Schindler really got this message that there is always more, even though due to his gratitude and willingness to risk his life, he saved many.

I think when we stand before God, all of us will have a moment like this. We will think about where we spent our money, efforts and time and we will probably have regret, even though God will accept us into His Kingdom.

My advice for us all is to live with no regrets. What we do with our time and money matters. What we do with the lives we have been given matters.  When God places people around you, even if they are not people you particularly like, it's important.  God has a job for you and there are lives to be saved.

I think the hard part of this is that it comes down to every choice we make and it's hard for us to be that consistent in our lives.  My hope is that we give without abandon.  We can set aside selfish living and give to each other in ways that inspire and grow each other towards Christ.  We seek and save those that are lost.  We lift up the widow and orphan and we spend our time drawing closer to Christ ourselves.

Jesus made this the example of His life.  So many of the times we look at Christ, we think about his sacrifice on the cross and understandably so.  However, the life of Jesus really shows us what it means to be a "living sacrifice."

Romans 12:1 states this:

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Being a living sacrifice is giving with no regrets.  It's giving your all to God and Christ modeled this for us.  I don't believe God wants you to die for Him as much as He wants you to live for Him.

I believe there are two judgments coming for many.  There is the judgment that happens with God after you take your last breath, but there is also another judgment.

When you are old and you stare in the mirror, you will judge yourself.  You will ask yourself what you have done with the time given.  I believe there are things we will regret, but live in such a way that your life is characterized by real and selfless giving.

The people that are affected by your life will know how you lived.  Everyone you have won to Christ will celebrate the goodness of God with you in eternity.

Give with no regrets.  Start now if you haven't already.  It's worth it.