“For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” (Romans 11:29 NLT)
To support an initiative to clothe the on the homeless for the winter months, I had donated one of my favorite coats to one of our member’s ongoing ministries to individuals living on the streets, under bridges, alleys, and places hidden from view. Oh, what a coat I had donated! It had no flaws, generated compliments from others, and best of all, it fit me perfectly. The style was unique. The condition of the coat was flawless. The color was easy to coordinate with any outfit. With integrity, I have to admit that after telling church members that we can always by a new coat, and after pointing out that the homeless are not able to do so, I entertained the thought of stopping by the church and taking back my favorite coat. I was going to pacify my contradictory behavior by putting a knee-length, European coat that I could no longer button to substitute for the coat I was going to takeback. I could have stopped by the church, made the switch and went on my way. Who would know? Yes! You’re right! The Lord would know. I realized that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and I concluded that if I wanted to be godly example, looking at the way God gives irrefutable gifts, I convinced myself that my planned takeback would not be right. The scriptures above and below helped me, along with the additional fact that there is no takeback mentioned in Luke 6:38 where it says, “Give and it shall be given to you…” Furthermore, more help came from thinking about Jesus’ saying, in regard to clothing the naked, “Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to Me.”
But listen after all that, the thought of the takeback still kept trying to occupy space in the cognitive portion of my being. To supplement what the scriptures brought to my attention. I thought about how some children would fight over a gift. One sibling says, “You gave it to me! It’s mine!” The other sibling responds in rapid fashion, “Not anymore! I’m taking it back!” That flashback convinced me that the takeback was indeed wrong, even the thought of it was wrong! Forgive me Lord! But take note now! My reaction went beyond conviction, but I was compelled to redeem myself, make up for my consideration of a takeback. I decided to buy myself a new coat as I had admonished the congregation and go ahead and donate the European coat that I referred to above. Transparency is something else, isn’t it?
Now, let’s make sure that your spending of your precious time reading this meditation is profitable. Listen! Once you have given your commitment to the Lord, follow this guideline: “No takeback!” Once you have pledged that you will pray more, and after a little time has passed you are about to return to the days where you skipped praying altogether, adhere to the guideline: “No takeback!” If you promised that you will stay on the battlefield and serve Him until you die, again let the words on the guideline ring loudly in your heart: “No takeback!” Perhaps you told yourself, “Self! I’m going to do better in the giving of my treasures, time, and talent!” Well, when “Self” is about ready to cancel that pledge, bring out the guideline: “No takeback!” Whatever it is that you gave to the Lord in the form of a vow, remember, “No Takeback.”
Store up what you just read in your mind, my dear friend. Like me, you will probably need it one day! Smile! Have a tremendously, terrific, triumphant Thursday! Be blessed!
“If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:7-8 NLT)
Mark L. King