Tighter Than A Lid On A Pickle Jar 1/3/2017

Good Morning,

Here comes a cup of Door County Spiced Gingerbread Latte Coffee and it is super hot. Great way to start a morning.

Everyone can imagine this one. There it is, the jar that won't open. It is so tight that beating the lid doesn't help. Soaking the jar in hot or cold water doesn't work either. The jar and lid seemed welded together. We have all been there. What a struggle trying to get the contents out of the nuclear powered lid. It's easier to break into Fort Knox than it is to get a pickle sometimes.

We all know people like this. To get them to do something for others or to have them part with a nickel to help others is harder than fighting the pickle jar. Some people just won't give up any of their time or resources to help those in need. I have named those folks "Perpetual Pickles".

On top of being tight with their time and resources they love to lecture those in need, telling them what they should do. Those folks are the Perpetual Garlic Pickles. Not only are they hard to get out of the jar, but when they do come out they leave an aftertaste that can kill toothpaste.

God has some advice for stingy people.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   

Proverbs 28:27

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Proverbs 28:22

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

Proverbs 28:20

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 11:24

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11   

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ...

God is very clear on being stingy and He certainly had a lot to say. So if you are a Perpetual Pickle, absorb the Scripture above and make a change. If you know someone who is stingy, be sure to share the Scripture above in love. Maybe the Old Pickle will change.

God bless,

Marty