Day 7: Something Worth Giving

"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

When I was younger, I remember I was at a car wash with my father, waiting for the car to be finished... being washed... and this man came to us and asked if we could give him some money for food. I reached into my pocket and my dad stopped me, and said “no, we don’t have any money.” After the man walked away he asked a couple other people for money (they gave him some) and he walked on. I turned to my dad and said ”I had $1 in my pocket, why couldn’t I just give him one dollar?” “Look at him,” he said, “he has nice shoes, he’s holding a styrofoam cup from McDonalds that he was just drinking out of which says he had already gotten food, and he looked like he was high so the chances are he will more than likely waste the money.”

I had to agree. All the things my dad pointed out seemed true, but this guy was still able to get money even if it was not from me, so what difference did it really make? Right? Now to move on with my life and never think about it again. Except here we are, 7 years later, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. In fact I could still point his face out in a crowd because for some strange reason it has stuck with me. I, for some reason, hated the idea that he stopped be from giving to someone, whether they SEEMED like they needed it or not. Granted, this person did not need it, and I am sure my money went to something more important but even back then, there was a feeling of wanting to help in any way I can.

Now that I’m older, and saved, I have something to give those that ask. Colossians 4:5-6 says, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” I don’t ever have much money (I didn’t when I was at the car wash either), but now I have something more valuable to give. Sometimes paying for someone’s lunch can go a long way, or spending time with someone who needs it, or even just handing out a gift card, but never leave them with just that, leave them with eternal hope and the knowledge of the most valuable thing in the world, their eternal destination. In Acts 3:6 Peter says to a handicapped beggar, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” the blessing to give is not just in physical things but it is much more rewarding when we are able to give spiritually.