Dollars or Sense - The Context of Giving and Asking

 I shared something this morning that seems woefully incomplete, the thought that is! 

Because it occurs to me, especially in this season. Whether it be of life or the holidays, many are asking to share something that the world has woefully not prepared us to be without. Nevertheless it's something we weren't born with. And in most cases can live without because its man made. It's a formulated, formulation of a strategy; just as making skins for ourselves.

It's a program that has near universal acceptance. And just as communal creativity and access. But still it's a fiction. Not even a necessary fiction. It's an addiction that we (who call ourselves Christians) have to break from. Though it seems hard!

It seems tough to see past because, 

• we don't have the cloud. 
• We don't have the pillar of fire. 
• We don't even have the man (in the physical) to rely on any more. 

We don't have (generally speaking) reliable representation from the man. All we have is Faith!

The faith to say we hope we're not making a big mistake. The faith that says we trust in the process, because the processor - the professor that walks with me, or before me. Those that rely on me, assume! Assuming...

That is they believe in me, the faith that lives in me. The hope that dwells in me, my story! Of accepting the Love of someone I've never seen or had a direct physical contact with yet I know I've been touched by Him! Through others aren't or weren't afraid to share his gift.

Even those who misuse it for their own purposes to pollute the well so to speak. The gift and giver still shine through. Like a light on a hill drawing you in. It catches and keeps your attention, calling you home! The point is.

Faith Hope Love (Charity) but the greatest of these are Love (Charity). 1st Corinthians 13:13

Keep going, you've read this far, I promise there is a big payoff!

I wrote something that can easily be taken out of context or misconstrued. Because people are afraid. And God tells us to not be afraid. Be informed!

Give freely! But be informed! 

In your decision making BE INFORMED!. Nevertheless I wrote that - people are hoarders.

Because they're looking for the exchange. They want to see the foreseeable and know the unforeseeable. When God says, Walk by Faith! Not by sight. BY FAITH!

By trust in HIM. By believing in HIM. By giving according to Him and His word and not relying on the system of strung together leaves and man made things created to sow distraction.

Remember, Heaven is a place too. And if you trust Him that says, I'm preparing a place for you. Trust that he has a place prepared for you, and room for others. So why not help them get back there!

Context of my original thought - A short poem... 

why do we hoard?
what God freely gives?
when God asks us to live?
for Him?
toward Him?
as the image of the one who created us.
shaped us.
and gave us life.

then,
gave His life.
for us!
who seem too timid to share Him with those who've forgotten from whence they came!#abundance

— Richard Toney (@sayitloudest) December 2, 2025