Gather Little by Little

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6:38

Sometimes those of us who watch our pennies closely forget to practice this verse. Recently, I had a friend do a favor for me for which I was quite thankful. Afterward, when I was reflecting on his generosity, I was struck by a thought: Would I have done the same thing if the situation were reversed? I had to admit to myself that the honest answer was “no”! I am often the person who avoids getting involved with others, either by making excuses for why I cannot help someone in need or by immediately wondering, so, what’s in it for me?

When I was in college, I lived by the maxim: “neither borrower, nor lender be” as if it were Scripture. In fact, there might have been a time when I thought it actually was Scripture when the truth of what the Bible teaches is far from this proverb. I never borrowed anything because I did not want to owe anything to anyone. I wanted to be free to say no when asked for help. The reality is that I was trying to justify my selfishness. I did not want to mess up my life by getting involved with others. This is not a godly mindset.

God does not want us to keep score when helping our fellow man.  He simply asks us to step out on faith and give of our time, our energy and even our money. Just as the farmer must first let go of and bury the seed in order to reap the fruit, we are called to sow seeds of kindness with no worry about our own needs or about what we might get in return. I am slowly getting better at giving . . . and while it often comes in a form that I do not expect, God is faithful to meet our needs.

Furthermore, now that my friend stepped out on faith and did a favor for me that I would have never done for someone else, I am now much more likely to be more giving if faced with the same prospect. My friend’s generosity has challenged me to pass along the good deed.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:7-9

Article by Stew

Photo by D3 San Francisco