Proverbs 11:24-25
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The latest issue of our county’s historical journal has a reprint of an article that features my Mam-ma Polly. The story was written by our dear friend Merrellyn, who was Mam-ma’s neighbor in the last 2 decades of her life. Merrellyn peppered the article with Mam-ma’s recollections of her childhood, as well as some interesting experiences from her adult life. She notes how hard that she and her siblings worked to help my great-grandmother with chores…and that she did not have a home with electricity until 1938 - six years after she and my grandfather married. My dad was two by then. I cannot imagine life with a toddler and no electricity…can you?
I’ve said many times that I always thought my grandparents were rich…because they were always sharing SOMETHING with someone else. By the same token, I grew up hearing about a few people in our community who legitimately were financially able to do a lot of good things for many people…but they were so attached to their money and possessions that they could not bear to think of parting with any of them – even for a “good” cause. And when I thought of these people, they seemed lonely, bitter, and sad.
I’ve known more than a few people who isolated themselves and “hid their light under a barrel”…and when the time came that they were in need, there were few people who were even aware of them enough to step forward and help. On the other hand, I’ve known people who gave generously of their time, energy and whatever they had to any and all who required what they had to offer…and there was practically a line around the block to help them whenever they needed assistance.
I’ve attended funerals for people who were virtually penniless…yet they gave all they could and lived a “rich,” full life filled with service, love and joy. And I’ve attended services for some who lived such stingy, self-absorbed lives that barely a dozen people showed up to pay their respects. I’m not saying that this is always how the equation works. I’m sure there have been mitigating circumstances, and generous people who were neglected or “flew under the radar.” I know there were probably some selfish folks who appeared to have a bevy of friends and people who cared about them in spite of their egocentric nature. But Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that “…a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!”
The goal is not to die surrounded by people who care and sing your praises…or those who will note how “rich” you were. The aim should be to serve God with everything we have…because it ALL ultimately belongs to Him in the first place. The rewards and blessings that come from giving are a nice byproduct - a bonus, if you will! God does not bless us so that we can become self-centered hoarders of our time, talents and money. He showers us with abundance so that we can share with others in the name of Jesus. We can all do better at this.
My challenge today is that we all take inventory of our lives and see where we could “share the wealth” a little more - and glorify God in the process. Are you willing to take a closer look? Isn’t this the perfect week to do so?
©2016 Debbie Robus
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The latest issue of our county’s historical journal has a reprint of an article that features my Mam-ma Polly. The story was written by our dear friend Merrellyn, who was Mam-ma’s neighbor in the last 2 decades of her life. Merrellyn peppered the article with Mam-ma’s recollections of her childhood, as well as some interesting experiences from her adult life. She notes how hard that she and her siblings worked to help my great-grandmother with chores…and that she did not have a home with electricity until 1938 - six years after she and my grandfather married. My dad was two by then. I cannot imagine life with a toddler and no electricity…can you?
I’ve said many times that I always thought my grandparents were rich…because they were always sharing SOMETHING with someone else. By the same token, I grew up hearing about a few people in our community who legitimately were financially able to do a lot of good things for many people…but they were so attached to their money and possessions that they could not bear to think of parting with any of them – even for a “good” cause. And when I thought of these people, they seemed lonely, bitter, and sad.
I’ve known more than a few people who isolated themselves and “hid their light under a barrel”…and when the time came that they were in need, there were few people who were even aware of them enough to step forward and help. On the other hand, I’ve known people who gave generously of their time, energy and whatever they had to any and all who required what they had to offer…and there was practically a line around the block to help them whenever they needed assistance.
I’ve attended funerals for people who were virtually penniless…yet they gave all they could and lived a “rich,” full life filled with service, love and joy. And I’ve attended services for some who lived such stingy, self-absorbed lives that barely a dozen people showed up to pay their respects. I’m not saying that this is always how the equation works. I’m sure there have been mitigating circumstances, and generous people who were neglected or “flew under the radar.” I know there were probably some selfish folks who appeared to have a bevy of friends and people who cared about them in spite of their egocentric nature. But Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that “…a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!”
The goal is not to die surrounded by people who care and sing your praises…or those who will note how “rich” you were. The aim should be to serve God with everything we have…because it ALL ultimately belongs to Him in the first place. The rewards and blessings that come from giving are a nice byproduct - a bonus, if you will! God does not bless us so that we can become self-centered hoarders of our time, talents and money. He showers us with abundance so that we can share with others in the name of Jesus. We can all do better at this.
My challenge today is that we all take inventory of our lives and see where we could “share the wealth” a little more - and glorify God in the process. Are you willing to take a closer look? Isn’t this the perfect week to do so?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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