Northfield Methodist Church

Dear Friends
We come out of a week where Dallas Willard ministered to us deeply which brought much renewal into our lives. Today's focus falls on renewing the foundation of giving.
I think it is safe to say that we are not born giving and that, as children, giving is not part of our "natural development". Rather giving is a function of maturity and children are taught to give and, if not taught, often fail to mature in the absence of a teacher.
One lesson on giving is to learn to give thanks. There is a powerful story about Betsie teaching her sister Corrie Ten Boom to give thanks while they were imprisoned in flea infested barracks of Ravensbruck Prison during the Second World War. The first night Corrie and Betsie slept in Barracks 28, Corrie cried out, “Fleas! The place is crawling with fleas! I… I don’t know how I can cope with living in such a terrible place!”
“Corrie, I think God has already given us the answer,” Betsie said. “What was that verse we read from the Bible this morning - Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (I Thess 5:18).”
“Oh, Betsie, that’s too hard in a place like this!”
“No, come on, Corrie – let’s try. What are we thankful for?”
“Well… if we must be in this awful place, I’m thankful that we’re together,” said Corrie.
“And that the guards didn’t find the Bible you had hanging down your back!” added Betsie.
Corrie nodded gratefully. “Maybe we should thank God for how crowded we are in here because that way more women will hear the Word of God when we read it aloud!”
“That’s right!” Betsie’s eyes danced. “And thank you, for, for the fleas –“
“No, Betsie!” Corrie cried. “I can’t thank God for the fleas. There’s nothing good about them.”
“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see,” answered Betsie.
Prison life was arduous. The only highlight was before they went to sleep, Betsie and Corrie would open their smuggled Bible and read God’s Word to the other women. At first, they posted lookouts to keep a watch for the guards. But day after day passed, and no guards came into Barracks 28. Soon they read the Bible twice a day, and more and more women listened. No one bothered them.
One day, Betsie whispered to Corrie, “I overheard some of the guards saying they don’t go near Barracks 28 because of the flea problem; that’s why no one has bothered our Bible study.
Corrie wanted to laugh. “All right, Lord,” she said. “Thank you for the fleas!”
May we sit before Scripture today and again enter into being taught to become people who are known by that Godly quality of a generosity of spirit - freely and joyfully giving ourselves away in a love that makes other people's days.
Be blessed
The Ministry Team