Who best knows us inside and out? Who best understands what we are feeling? Who best shows us the meaning of giving? God is our most significant example of what it means to give. He shows us that we need to have a whole heart when we offer. It’s not just about tithing to the church either even though that is very important, too.
2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Sometimes giving involves taking time to listen to a friend who needs to just talk without feeling that they are being judged because of their feelings. Sometimes giving involves sharing our talent with others and teaching others a new skill. Sometimes giving involves sharing a meal with someone who is hungry. Sometimes giving involves being generous with monetary help to someone in need. Sometimes giving involves……. whatever you find in your heart to give to someone else.
Remember also that Jesus understood that giving is also a private thing. It’s personal. You don’t need to announce it to everybody who will listen. God already knows what you are doing and He knows the reason why you do it. Just know that you do it as a reflection of the person we all want to try and emulate, God.
So, what did I learn from this? I don’t give because I have to give, I give because I want to give. When I give something to someone then it helps them but it also helps me as well. Sometimes, it’s just a compliment that someone needed to hear that day or a supportive voice in telling a person, not to let other people’s attitudes affect them personally. All that you give, especially when you give impulsively, can help someone. It’s kindness and thoughtfulness that encourages others to do the same. It also becomes a reflection of who you are.
What can you gain from this? I know that it helps me get through the day knowing that I helped someone else. That can be what you experience as well. We have so many negative things going on around us right now that we need some of that positive when we can find it. It’s like a little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day or that’s how I think of it as.
When I was growing up there was a song called “Pass It On”. The lyrics were in part, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going….” (of course, that’s all I remember!) but it seems to me that it says it all, doesn’t it? We all need to be the spark that helps us to treat others in a kinder, more thoughtful way with the hope that others will keep passing it along.
A Joyful Mission 