I’ve always been one for giving, you know? I’ve always felt like giving to those less fortunate than yourself is a good thing to do. In theory it’s really the best way to be, but putting it into practice isn’t always easy.
I’ve been on the receiving end of charity, and I’ve been the kid without Christmas presents, or the one wearing clothes that the other kids make fun of. I’ve had a bicycle donated to me so that I’d have a gift on my birthday, and I’ve been beyond excited for “new” clothes from the thrift store.
I’ve also been the one to pay someone’s bills when they could not, to pick up the tab on someone’s meal who was hungry, or even to help pay a college kid’s tuition. I’ve seen my giving appreciated through a veil of tears, and I’ve also seen it taken greedily without even so much as a “thank you.” I’ve been paid back, and I’ve been stuck in a lurch. I’ve been fooled, taken advantage of, but also received the joy of changing someone’s circumstances for the better.
I think sometimes the hardest part about giving may be not knowing if the gift will be used properly. We want to feel like the person will be a good steward, or learn their lesson and not get in a bind a second time. Just being transparently honest.
And often times, I just don’t have it to give.
Not long ago my husband came home and told me he had given money to a man in need. It was an elderly man that I jokingly told people my husband had adopted. The guy had no family, no car, and a shack of a home that looked like a strong wind could blow it over. My husband frequently gave the guy a ride or took him to lunch.
As my husband relayed the story to me that night, it seemed like this fella had gotten into trouble with his meager finances. His bills were overdue and he needed help. So my husband gave it, and when he told me the amount I’m sure my gaping mouth betrayed me.
At the time I wanted to scream, “why?!” We were moving, I was pregnant, and I would be out of work soon. We had repairs to make on the house, and well, we weren’t made out of money. Truth be told; I wanted that money. I wanted it for my family, and I really didn’t feel like we had it to give.
He must have read my mind (after all, he’s good at that), because he looked me in the eye and said, “I just felt like it was the right thing to do.” His serious expression would have convinced me alone, but then he added something peculiar. When he had asked the man how much he needed it turned out to be exactly what my husband had in his pocket. Exact.
I didn’t say another word about the large sum I knew we wouldn’t see back from this man, but I wasn’t surprised really when I discovered we didn’t even miss it. Money that I was sure we needed was somehow replaced. Our bills seemed smaller than usual, or raises were received. Even unexpected money came to us from other avenues. Certainly more than he had given.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
This morning an issue arose where someone we knew was in need. They came to me for help, and though my disability check for maternity leave is dwindling fast, I knew we would give it. I texted my husband anyway to ask his opinion, and he answered as I knew he would.
“We don’t really have it. But we need to give it anyway.”
So we did. Without any thought to if we would receive it back. Without judgement of what had occurred to make our gift necessary. We gave it simply because it was the right thing to do, and we knew this. I had not always believed it possible, but somehow my husband’s faith had rubbed off on me over time.
We didn’t give it with the intention of receiving it back, but rather with the knowledge that God would provide for our needs if we honored Him always. And I can’t say I was really surprised at all when I checked my mailbox today and opened an unexpected check for more than double the amount we had given.
Sometimes you just do something because you know it’s right. Sometimes you just proceed in faith because that’s the best way to give. Sometimes you let go and let God because His promises are true. Sometimes you learn more through giving than you do receiving.
Perhaps that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Barbara Allen says
Bless you Brie!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you! And you.